AMN /

In a historic move Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed his ministers and aides not to make anti-India statements that can affect the recently resumed peace dialogue, according to a media report. A close aide of Sharif told daily Nation that Mr Sharif asked close aides and Cabinet members to promote peace. He is reported to have said that there will be statements only that encourage the dialogue process rather than digging out the past.

Mr. Sharif’s aide was quoted as saying that the Prime Minister was optimistic about better ties with India which would benefit the whole region.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently visited Pakistan earlier this month during which she called on Prime Minister Sharif and met his Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. After the meetings, the two countries decided to re-engage under the ‘Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue’. The Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India will meet next month to work out the details of the dialogue.