In an interview with an Indian newspaper, the foreign minister said: "Pakistan feels that this region has serious challenges. The challenges of hunger, poverty, disease, backwardness are the regional challenges that we face. It can only be dealt collectively. Once we normalise our relations and refocus on our priorities, then we’ll be able to address these challenges".

He said: " India and Pakistan have agreed to a format of discussion - the composite dialogue. We had four rounds of composite dialogues. When I took over as the foreign minister, I reviewed the fourth round and then we also initiated the fifth round".

Responding to a question, the foreign minister said that India’s decision to suspend dialogue was knee-jerk and the internal politics didn’t help, adding the (Indian) opposition, for the sake of political point scoring, forgot the larger picture and tried to put the government on the defensive.

Answering to a question, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan ahs apprehended seven accused and it shows the seriousness of the government, adding third party and dossier exchange might not be as productive as when you sit face-to-face and chart the way forward.

"I think this engagement will provide a better opportunity to both sides. If their concerns are about Hafiz Saeed and Mumbai attacks, let them put it on the table. If we’ve concerns about Balochistan, let us put it on the table", he said.

On Indian involvement in terror activities in Pakistan, he said: "When we discuss terrorism then all linked issues have to be put on the agenda. They have the right to highlight their concerns and we’ve the right to highlight our concerns. "

On Kashmir issue, the foreign minister said that It’s difficult to give a timeframe, adding both the countries have made progress on Kashmir related CBMs.

He said that both the countries should look at the positive developments so far made and review them and should look at more CBMs to create a conducive environment in consultation with the Kashmiris. Kashmiris are the main party. Their aspirations can’t be overlooked.