TEHRAN, Aug 29: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Wednesday Pakistan was optimistic that upcoming talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit would prove significant in its efforts for resolving the most important issues between the two countries.

“We are moving out of trust deficit zone, and that is a pre-requisite for us to be able to really sit on the negotiating table and solve most important issues,” Ms Khar told reporters a day ahead of the meeting between Mr Zardari and Mr Singh here. The meeting will be their second in four months.

The foreign minister said the environment for Pakistan and India was now moving towards trust building. “All previous talks between the two leaders have been very useful, particularly in New Delhi, and we hope the same spirit would continue in Tehran,” she said.

Ms Khar said both sides needed to show commitment to move forward.

“As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is committed to moving forward beyond any other issues that might arise between the two countries.”

Regarding her talks with Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna in Islamabad next month, Ms Khar said she hoped for a productive meeting.

About reports in the Indian media about some SMS and e-mail messages about ethnic tension in parts of India allegedly emanating from Pakistan, she said there was a need to find a more mature way to handle such issues as these would continue to haunt the two countries.

“I am very disappointed every time something reaches Pakistan through the media because we believe that we have been able to invest in this relationship enough to expect a call from any counterpart if any such concern or suspicion arises, because we have to move beyond this.”

The foreign minister said she believed that the Indian media needed to be more positive to help the two countries solve their problems.

She pointed out that Pakistan had repeatedly expressed willingness to help and resolve the issues in a useful manner.—APP

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...