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Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani has said that Pakistan would be very happy to welcome Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Interacting with media here immediately after delegation-level talks, Jilani said: “We hope that the Prime Minister (Dr. Singh) will come. Our doors are open for him always.” He said the Pakistan Government had extended an invitation to Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday, and again on Saturday, to visit Pakistan. “Our Prime Minister also reiterated the invite. The people of Pakistan are looking forward to Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit,” Jilani added Asked whether the issue of terrorism had come up during Saturday’s foreign minister-level talks, Jilani replied in the affirmative, saying that both India and Pakistan are and have been victims of this menace. “Terrorism is of importance to both countries. We are both victims. We should develop mechanism to deal with this,” the Pakistan Foreign Secretary said. Asked for his comments on the recent move by the United States to designate the Pakistan-based Haqqani network a terrorist organization, and whether he saw this development as possibly heightening tensions between Washington and Islamabad, Foreign Secretary Jilani said: “Pakistan is taking action against all those who are taking action working in terrorism.” He also said that Pakistan would like India to deal with the Siachen issue, Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek issue, in fact, “eliminate all contentious issues, so that a better environment is created between the two countries.” He also welcomed news of about a possible resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries. “Indian and Pakistan teams will play cricket, will play in India. Hopefully, matches will be played in Pakistan too,” he said.

Our doors are always open for Dr. Singh: Pak Foreign Secretary