Shehbaz Sharif pitches for meaningful India-Pakistan engagement

‘Peaceful and cooperative’ ties were imperative for the  socio-economic development of the people of the two countries, he says

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, pitching for a “meaningful” engagement and a “peaceful resolution” of all outstanding issues by the two countries, people familiar with the development said on Sunday.

Mr. Sharif's communication on Saturday came in response to a letter sent by Mr. Modi to the Pakistani leader congratulating him on becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan, they said.

In the letter, Mr. Sharif said the socio-economic development of the people of the two countries as well as the region could be achieved through meaningful India-Pakistan engagement and peaceful resolution of "all outstanding disputes", including that of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr. Sharif said  "peaceful and cooperative" ties between Pakistan and India were imperative for the  socio-economic development of the people of the two countries and the region.

This, he said, can be best achieved through “meaningful engagement and peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu & Kashmir”. In his letter a few days back, Mr. Modi conveyed to Mr. Sharif that India desired constructive ties with Pakistan.

Mr. Sharif said Pakistan remained committed to maintenance of regional peace and security.

On April 11, the Pakistan Parliament selected Mr. Sharif as the 23rd Prime Minister of the country, a day after Imran Khan was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote