PM Modi greeted Pakistan on its national day, says Imran Khan

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that he received a message from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in which the latter extended "greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan".

"It is time that (the people) of Sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence," PM Modi said in the message, according to a tweet by Pakistani prime minister.

Reacting to Modi's message in tensed atmosphere, Khan said that it was time to begin "comprehensive dialogue with India" to resolve bilateral issues, including that of Kashmir.

"I welcome PM Modi's message to our people. As we celebrate Pakistan Day I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people," he said.

I welcome PM Modi's message to our people. As we celebrate Pakistan Day I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people.

So far, there were no official words from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) regarding the Pakistani prime minister's claim but if true, this is the first friendly gesutre by PM Modi since the February 14 Pulwama attack following which the nuclear-armed neighbours came to the brink of war.

After the attack, India had carried out aerial strike on a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed - the terror outfit responsible for the Pulwama attack - in Balakot inside Pakistan. The air strike destroyed the terror outfit's camp and inflicted several casualities.

The Pakistani prime minister's tweet also came hours after India boycotted a reception at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to mark Pakistan's National Day. India was against the Pakistan High Commission's move to invite separatists for the event. Subsequently, the External Affairs Ministry said Indian representative will not attend any events in Islamabad.

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