'Pak never sought mediator for India talks'

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday asserted that Pakistan had not approached any country to arrange talks with India, reiterating Islamabad's readiness for a comprehensive dialogue that includes the Kashmir issue.

Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Dar said Pakistan did not reach out to anyone, seeking an arrangement of talks with India. However, he clarified that Pakistan was ready for comprehensive talks with India, including on the Kashmir issue.

Regarding the May War and the subsequent halt in hostilities, the foreign minister said that the ceasefire was still holding. "India had requested the US for a ceasefire. I received a call from the US for a ceasefire. I had made it clear that Pakistan did not want war," he said.

Dar further revealed that Pakistan had been advised to hold talks at a neutral venue, to which he agreed, but only on a broad-based agenda.

"I had made it clear that there will be no discussion on any single-point agenda with India. We will discuss all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue with India," he asserted, lamenting that "unnecessary rhetoric" continued to pour in from New Delhi.