publish time

27/02/2019

author name Arab Times

publish time

27/02/2019

In this photo released by the Press Information Department, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, left, chairs a meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad, Pakistan Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Pakistan's prime minister on Thursday authorized the armed forces to "respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure" by neighboring India, as tensions soared between the nuclear-armed rivals. (Press Information Department, via AP)

ISLAMABAD (AP): Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has extended an offer to Indian Prime Minister Nerendra Modi for talks to de-escalate rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Khan says that war benefits neither nation and that he hopes "better sense can prevail."

In a televised address to the nation, Khan says Pakistan is "ready to cooperate" and added: "Let's sit together to talk to find a solution."

Khan again promised to cooperate with India to find the perpetrators behind a February suicide attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed more than 40 Indian troops.

The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group claimed responsibility; the suicide bomber was from Indian-ruled Kashmir. India has long accused Pakistan of harboring anti-Indian militants, a claim Pakistan denies.