Chandigarh: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with a 50-memebr delegation arrived here on Wednesday to watch the cricket World Cup semifinal match between India and Pakistan.
The prime minister will discuss all issues of mutual importance with the his Indian counterpart at the sideline of the match.
Gilani, accompanied by over a 50-member delegation, prior to his departure told reporters at Islamabad, that his visit to Mohali was to “strengthen his resolve that dialogue and interaction can help both the countries resolve all issues in the interest of peace and prosperity of their people.”
The talks to be held in the backdrop of the semi-final also mark the resumption of the Pakistan-India dialogue process stalled since the Mumbai attacks.
Gilani was headed to Mohali on the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to watch the ICC World Cup semi-final between Pakistan and India.
A statement of Pakistan Foreign Ministry issued from Islamabad said, “The two Prime Ministers are expected to have a conversation on all issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the cricket match.”
Prime Minister Gilani is being accompanied by Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Postal Services Sardar Alhaj Omar Gorgage, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Engr. Shaukatullah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Privatisation, Asfandyar Wali (ANP), Lt. Gen. Abdul Qadir Baloch (PML-N), Dr Farooq Sattar (MQM), Laeeq Ahmad Khan (JUI-F), Munir Orakzai (Fata), Riaz Hussain Pirzada (PML-Q), Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Dr. Lal Chand, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Sherry Rehman, Khwaja Sohail Mansoor, Ahmad Mujataba Gilani and Sharmila Farooqui.
The two leaders will watch the match and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host a dinner in the honour of Prime Minister Gilani.
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