Committed to result-oriented dialogue with India: Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said he is committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented dialogue with India as he desires "cooperative and good neighbourly" relations.

Sharif made the remarks while addressing participants of a course at the National Defence University here.

Since he assumed office last year, the premier has consistently spoken in favour of better ties with India. However, the killing of seven Indian soldiers and heavy exchanges of fire along the Line of Control sent relations plummeting.

Describing law and order and internal security as the "greatest challenge" facing Pakistan which has "internal and external" dimensions, Sharif said his objective of internal peace and economic development cannot be achieved without peace, stability and prosperity in the neighbourhood.

Acknowledging that the fight against terrorism was a complex issue, he said, "I have no illusions that this is an extremely complex issue. It cannot be resolved by any one party or one institution. It requires a response of the entire nation. All political parties and state institutions have to be in harmony and must be on the same page".

Stating that Afghanistan was an important neighbour, Sharif said, "I have reassured President (Hamid) Karzai that we do not wish to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs. A peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan is in Pakistan's vital interest".

He said Pakistan would continue to facilitate efforts for an inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

"The international community should remain engaged in supporting Afghanistan's reconstruction and economic development. We believe that cooperative approaches at the regional level would foster mutual trust and confidence and reinforce efforts for peace and stability," Sharif said.

"Together with the Afghan leadership, we have also embarked on efforts to further deepen and broaden our fraternal relationship. There is a positive momentum, which must be sustained and further strengthened," he said.

Sharif vowed to strengthen Pakistan's identity as a modern and democratic state which is at peace with both itself and its neighbours.

He said an imperative of Pakistan's national security policy" that the country is recognised as a responsible sovereign all over the world.

If the constitutional order is not respected and the rule of law is not enforced, the state cannot survive, he said.