Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali today (May 15, 2004) expressed confidence that Indo-Pak peace process to resolve outstanding issues will continue despite change of the leadership in India.

When Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to Islamabad in January for the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit, he had assured Pakistani leadership that the peace initiative has the mandate of the Government and Opposition parties in India, Jamali told reporters in Islamabad.

"The Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee during his last visit to Islamabad had given assurance that he had come to Pakistan with the mandate and support of all the political parties to initiate dialogue to resolve all issues with Pakistan, so that peace and security could be ensured in the region," he said.

Jamali said Vajpayee's response followed after he himself had specifically asked the Indian leader whether there was broad support in India for the peace process.

Also, various Congress leaders as well as party president Sonia Gandhi herself assured that peace process with Pakistan would continue, he said adding, "Therefore it will continue because it is the necessity and desire of people both the countries."

"Peace in the region is essential for the progress and prosperity of people of the region and continuation of dialogue will help ensure peace in the region," he said.