ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said Pakistan was ready to resolve all outstanding disputes with its neighbors through dialogue in a dignified and peaceful manner.

Addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue programme in Islamabad, the army chief, however, stressed that the choice was deliberate and based on rationality, and not as a result of any pressure.

He said it was time that synergies were created in South Asia through connectivity, peaceful coexistence and resource sharing to fight hunger, illiteracy and disease instead of fighting each other.

“Stable Indo-Pak relations are a key to unlock the untapped potential of South and Central Asia by ensuring connectivity between East and West Asia,” said General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

He however regretted that the potential had remained hostage to the disputes and issues between the two neighbors. He said without resolution of Kashmir dispute through peaceful means, process of sub continental rapprochement will always remain susceptible to derailment due to politically motivated bellicosity.

He said it is time to bury the past and move forward. He however said our neighbor will have to create a conducive environment particularly in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the resumption of dialogue process.

The Army Chief said Pakistan has learnt from the past and willing to move ahead towards a new future. However all this is contingent upon reciprocity.

The Army Chief said despite being an impoverished region, we end up spending a lot of money on defense which naturally comes at the expense of human development.