Monday, May 16 2005 21:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhurban (Pakistan): Setting aside their differences back home, Indian Parliamentarians representing major political parties today (May 16, 2005) conveyed to the people of Pakistan that peace with this country has the support of all outfits.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told a conference organised by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Bhurban that all concerned must invest in the ongoing process of engagement and ensure the recent positive trends are sustained.

From last year's historic visit of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Pakistan to the recent visit by President Pervez Musharraf to India it was clear that both the countries shared a concern on terrorism which should not be allowed to impact on the peace process, he said.

MPs, journalists and experts on various facets of Indo-Pak relations from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal have gathered at this scenic hill station to deliberate over the next three days on issues concerning the region.

Congress MP, Ashwani Kumar, who was elected conference co-chairman, said India and Pakistan cannot transact business with the prism of antagonism and mistrust of the past.

"The two countries should focus more on furthering the current people-to-people contact and open more travel routes," he said.

Kumar said India is committed to the Iran-India gas pipeline project through Pakistan territory and Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Iyer would soon visit the country to discuss it.

Although the conference has representatives from other South Asian countries, the focus has been on Indo-Pak ties. Delegates from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka all emphasised on strengthening cooperation in the region.

Highlighting the situation in the Himalayan Kingdom after the royal takeover, the Nepalese delegation said a political leader Navaraj Subeti was arrested near Kathmandu airport as he was leaving for Lahore.

Musharraf is expected to address the concluding session of the conference in Islamabad on Friday (May 20).