President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said he sees intention in the Indian leadership to take dialogue process towards resolution of longstanding disputes, adding that Pakistan will never be found wanting in its desire for peace with dignity and honour.
"I see intention to resolve issues, since the intention is there I am optimistic about the future of Pakistan-India relations," he said, referring to his last week's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
President Musharraf also told a gathering arranged by Pakistan Friendship Association that poverty is on the rise in the Muslim world and the US and the European Union must play their pivotal role in addressing the root causes of terrorism, political disputes, poverty and illiteracy.
"The Muslim world has taken the first step by nominating a group of eminent persons for restructuring of the Organisation of Islamic Conference and now the West, particularly the United States and the European Union, should assist the Muslim countries in achieving socioeconomic development, he said referring to his OIC-adopted strategy of enlightened moderation.
He warned that there is no time to lose and the world must take action before an iron curtain descends between the West and Islam.
"We must awaken ourselves - the world is pursuing a short-sighted approach - we should address underlying causes on long-term basis."
Pakistan, he said, is contributing its bid to resolving the world situation through the strategy of enlightened moderation and informed the gathering about the government's efforts to reduce poverty, streamline education in Madressah for better and diverse economic opportunities for graduates from religious schools and policy of developing country's tremendous human resources.
Musharraf said he believes in democracy and has introduced a series of reforms for introduction of sustainable democracy in the country.
The president also spoke about Pakistan's economic success, its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, to peace and stability in Afghanistan and Islamabad's successful countering of misperceptions about the Pakistani society.
The Italian civil society representatives, including president of the association in their introduction lauded President Musharraf's efforts for peace in the region and the world at large.