Islamabad, December 19

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.“There will be statements only that encourage the dialogue process rather than digging out the past. The PM has asked aides and Cabinet members to promote peace,” a close aide of Sharif was quoted as saying by The Nation.The measure was taken to let peace process move forward after being set in motion this month. The ministers and senior officials have been stopped from issuing statements that could damage the peace process, the report said.Sharif’s aide was quoted as saying the Prime Minister was optimistic about better ties with India which would benefit the whole region. — PTI

Focus on peace talks

• A media report has quoted an aide of Nawaz Sharif (in pic) as saying ministers and senior officials have been refrained from issuing statements that can damage the peace process
• Nawaz Sharif is not happy with some statements from India but understands this is not the Indian Government’s policy