Pakistan calls for resumption of Indo-Pak composite dialogue

NEW DELHI: Pakistan today strongly pitched for the resumption of Indo-Pak composite dialogue, saying improvement of bilateral ties is not only in the interest of both the countries but also of the region.

Speaking at a farewell function held at Foreign Correspondents' Club here, Pakistan's outgoing envoy to India Salman Bashir also expressed optimism in diplomatic relations and said, "I do not want to sound over-optimistic or exaggerate but what I am saying is that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

He called for resumption of the full spectrum dialogue, which was stalled earlier this year after the beheading of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan army along the Line of Control.

"The improvement in relations with India is very emphatically a state policy. We believe it's in our interest and we believe it's in the interest of the region," Bashir said.

"Our prime minister is on record as having very emphatically stated that improvement of relations with India is a priority.

"An improvement in relations with Pakistan is also something that is of importance to India and the Indian leadership," he said.