Government, military willing to hold talks with India: Pakistan minister

The Pakistani government and the military are willing to hold talks with India for regional peace, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday.

In an interview to BBC Urdu, the minister said that while Pakistan is willing to hold talks, the present government has not received any positive indication from India. 

"(Prime Minister) Imran Khan has given many hints to New Delhi in this regard," Chaudhry told the publication. 

"As soon as he was elected Prime Minister, Imran (Khan) invited Indian cricketers... In his first speech, he said that we will take two steps forward in response to one step from New Delhi," Chaudhry said. 

He further added that Khan also spoke to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, according to the report. 

Chaudhry further said that military is in agreement with the government's decision to approach India to improve ties and hold talks. "Both Khan and General Qamar Javed Bajwa understand that a country cannot progress in isolation," he said. 

"Both leaders understand that we will be left behind in the race of development if regional peace is not ensured." 

Chaudhry also said that Pakistan will soon open the Kartar Singh border for Sikh pilgrims and allow them to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur without having to obtain a visa. "A system has been formed for the pilgrims entering Pakistan," he said. - IANS