New Delhi, August 14: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, said on Tuesday that the incoming civilian government in Pakistan is committed to peaceful relations with India and other neighbouring countries which is part of its foreign policy vision.

Sohail, who was speaking at a function at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to mark the 72nd Independence Day, informed that the phone call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, who will take the oath of office as Pakistan's Prime Minister on August 18, was a positive development.

The High Commissioner said that the history of India-Pakistan relations have seen "political and military tensions" which have been a major impediment in the socio-economic development in both the countries.

Sohail Mahmood added that the next generations in both countries deserved a better future. A future which will be marked by peace and opportunities for better progress and prosperity. He also hoped for better cooperation among South Asian countries, in order to facilitate growth and development.

Emphasizing that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, had envisioned a democratic and modern Islamic welfare state, Mahmood claimed that each successive generation had tried to fulfill the founder's vision.

Coming to the swearing- in of Imran Khan, the next Prime Minister of Pakistan, former World Cup winning Indian captain, Kapil Dev, has made it clear that he will not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar had also cited work related assignment for not attending the ceremony on August 18. Punjab minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday had met officials of Pakistan High Commission regarding his proposed visit to Pakistan for attending the swearing-in of Imran Khan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2018 09:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).