Pakistan ready to discuss all issues with India, says envoy

HYDERABAD: Pakistan today said it was ready to discuss all bilateral issues, including Kashmir, with India and stressed on enhancing people-to-people relations.

The foundation to resume dialogue on all issues was laid in July this year when the Foreign Ministers of the two countries met in Islamabad, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik said in an informal chat with reporters.

He was here to attend a luncheon hosted by Syed Viqaruddin, editor of Rehnuma-e-Deccan, the oldest Urdu daily of the city.

"We have to take forward the issues discussed or under discussion to their logical end. In recent times, there had been mutual cooperation from both the sides on various matters," Malik said, without elaborating.

To a question, he said Islamabad always wants cordial ties with India and welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent statement that India was not afraid to discuss Kashmir, the most contentious issue between the two neighbours.

The Pakistan High Commission was liberal in issuing visas to Indian visitors to the country in order to improve people-to-people relations, Malik said.

The event was attended by editors of prominent newspapers in the state capital.