Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. - File Photo

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says India and Pakistan will have to develop peaceful neighbourly relations while efforts should also be continued for the solution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, between the two countries, for a durable and lasting peace in the subcontinent.

At a luncheon he hosted for visiting Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar here on Saturday, he said both the countries would have made much progress if mutual issues had been resolved through dialogue and thus resources had been diverted to the welfare and uplift of the masses instead of wasting these on wars.

He said it was high time both the countries gave up confrontation and followed peace process as poverty, disease and ignorance were their common enemies.

The chief minister said had democratic process continued in Pakistan, many irritants in Indo-Pak relations would have been removed and considerable progress had been made towards solution of Kashmir, water and many other issues.

If European countries could live in peace and harmony after being engaged in protracted wars and disputes, why India and Pakistan could not move forward in a peaceful manner, he questioned.

Ms Kumar appreciated the public welfare projects initiated by the chief minister in Punjab.

Besides members of Indian delegation, Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal was also present.