Pakistan wants the “peaceful resolution of all issues with India”, including Kashmir to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in South Asia, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.
Mr. Gilani made the remarks while addressing a luncheon he hosted in honour of the visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
He also said Pakistan would oppose any policy aimed at impeding peace in the region.
“We desire a peaceful environment in our region in the interest of our development and to raise the living standards of our people.
“Consistent with this aspiration, we seek peaceful resolution of all issues with India, including the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Mr. Gilani said.
“Success in this endeavour would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in South Asia.
“Similarly, a stable Afghanistan will open up vast opportunities for Pakistan and indeed for the regional countries,” he said.
Mr. Gilani said Pakistan is “opposed to any policy which aims at containing progress or impeding peace and development in the region”.
Pakistan and China “share the ideals of a safe, secure and prosperous neighbourhood with our region free from strife and conflict” and want this vision to be translated into reality, he added.
A “unique characteristic” of the Pakistan-China relationship, Mr. Gilani contended, is that it is “not directed against any country”.
He said: “Peace and stability in our region is inextricably linked to the constructive role being played by China”.
In his remarks, Mr. Wen said both countries had marched ahead through thick and thin and stood the test of time.
Their relationship has “gone beyond bilateral ties and moved into the strategic sphere,” he said.
Mr. Wen assured Pakistan of China’s support in agriculture, infrastructure and energy.
He said the two sides will hold a series of events next year to further cement their ties.
During their talks on Friday, the two premiers agreed to further strengthen their strategic relationship by enhancing cooperation in fields like energy, technology and infrastructure.
The two sides will sign agreements worth a total of $24 billion during Mr. Wen’s visit, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has said.
