Gilani stresses peaceful ties

Dubai: Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Islamabad wanted to have excellent relations with its neighbours, whether it is India or Afghanistan.

"A stable Afghanistan is in our interest. If Afghanistan is stable, we benefit," he told reporters in Kaula Lumpur before flying to Dubai.

Gilani, who was in Kuala Lumpur to attend a summit of Islamic countries, also blamed the trouble in Afghanistan for some of Pakistan's own problems.

"If there is any one bomb, that means there will be less investment, and that is because we are fighting against terrorism and extremism in the forefront," he said.

Gilani said his country was catering to the needs of three million Afghan refugees, as well as food requirements for its troubled neighbour, while spending more on security and defence.

"When Afghanistan would be stable, the refugees would go with grace, dignity and with respect to their country. And we would be then be free from the worries of law and order in the country," he said.