Thursday, July 13 2006 18:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: "The composite dialogue process between India and Pakistan can lead to settlement of bilateral issues and lay foundation for good neighbourly ties, Minister for Information and Broadcasting," said Muhammad Ali Durrani.

The success of the peace process launched by the leadership of the two countries would not only bring lasting peace to the region, but also help fight poverty in both countries, he told a delegation of Indian teachers and students here yesterday.

He said if the two countries settle their bilateral disputes, they could become a great economic bloc.

Durrani said both India and Pakistan were facing problems of extremism and terrorism, and terrorists did not belong to any religion, as all religions prohibited the killing of innocent people.

The Pakistan Minister hoped that both countries would be successful in eliminating terrorists, the state-run APP quoted him as saying.

"The people of both countries were committed to the dialogue process and would not allow anybody to derail it," he said, adding that the composite dialogue can lead to the resolution of disputes.

The Indian delegation was led by Lawrence School (Simla) Dean of Academics Rajesh Puri, who said they would now visit Murree where they would stay for three days.

Puri said he was impressed by the hospitality of the Pakistanis.