Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on April 18 welcomed
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's speech in which he "extended a hand of
friendship" to Islamabad.
"I welcome this offer and appreciate it but the basic principles on issues will
remain the same," Jamali told reporters while reacting to Vajpayee's speech.
Earlier, Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Paksitan welcomes
Prime Minister Vajpayee's offer for talks.
"Pakistan will go two steps forward if India will take one step," Ahmed told a
television channel.
"This approach is in favour of India and Pakistan which can create cordial relations
between the people of the two countries."
"Pakistan wants to live in peace with India," Ahmed said, adding, "being a good
neighbour, we want to settle all disputes and welcome any proposal from India for
this purpose."
Earlier on April 18, Vajpayee said problems could not be resolved through the barrel
of the gun but only through dialogue.
"We once again extend the hand of friendship but it should be reciprocated by both
sides," Vajpayee said in a public meeting at Srinagar.
PTI
