Thursday, June 2 2005 09:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: The absence of any "adverse reaction" to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L K Advani's weeklong visit was proof of Pakistani peoples' desire to move forward on the ongoing peace process between the two countries, former Pakistan skipper and Head of the Tehrik-E-Insaf party said.

"There is a sea of difference in Indo-Pak relations since the time the Indian team came to play cricket here. The peace process has now become irreversible," Khan told Indian media persons in Islamabad on the sidelines of a dinner hosted by Indian High Commissioner Shivshankar Menon in honour of the visiting leader of Opposition in Islamabad last night (Jun 1, 2005).

He said despite Advani being a "controversial" figure in Pakistan, there was no "adverse reaction" to his visit.

"Apparently, it is due to the friendly atmosphere. That there was no adverse reaction shows that people of Pakistan were ready to move forward," he said when asked how people of Pakistan have reacted to Advani's visit.

To a question why Advani was "controversial" in Pakistan, he said, "The reports that came about the Babri Mosque. They could have been selective but then despite that if there is no such reaction, it indicates the changed mood of the people."

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and chairman of the Pakistan Senate Mohammad Sumro were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.