Gilani praises Singh; calls him 'genuine person'

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has lauded his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, describing him as a "genuine person" who is keen to resolve all bilateral issues.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a "genuine person" who is desirous of resolving all issues with Pakistan, including the "core issue of Kashmir", Gilani told reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland.

When Gilani was asked by an Indian journalist about the possibility of another Mumbai-style attack during an interaction with the media on the sidelines of the summit, he replied: "Ifs and when do not make a story."

"We see Pakistan as a factor of peace, stability and development in the region," Gilani said yesterday.

Pakistan desires good relations with all its neighbours and if New Delhi has any information about terrorist activities, it can be shared with Islamabad, he said.

The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was blamed for the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

Pakistani authorities arrested seven suspects, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, on charges of involvement in the attacks but their trial has stalled for over a year due to technical reasons.

Noting that Pakistan had resumed its dialogue with India, Gilani mentioned his visit to Mohali last year to watch the Cricket World Cup semi-final at the invitation of Singh.
"We are in the process of normalising trade relations with India, which will benefit the people of both countries."

Gilani further said that Pakistan attaches importance to its relations with Afghanistan and a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in the strategic interest of Pakistan.