"The prime minister has said that Pakistan wants to resolve all issues including Jammu and Kashmir and I agree with this," Advani, a former deputy prime minister, told reporters after a one-hour meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here.

"My meeting with the prime minister was very useful and we exchanged views in a frank and congenial atmosphere," said Advani.

Advani who arrived here Monday night for a weeklong visit, will also meet President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri before travelling to Lahore and Karachi.

He said confidence building measures and the ongoing peace process will bring the people of two countries closer.

"There is a broad consensus in India over friendly relations with Pakistan," said the man who is often considered a hawk in Pakistan.

He, however, refused to reply to a question on Musharraf's proposal for a timeframe to settle the Kashmir issue.

"Since I am not in the government...I won't reply to it," he contended.

"It is a good omen that the peace process between India and Pakistan is moving forward," Advani maintained.

"We feel proud that the peace process was started by the BJP government and the present regime is carrying it forward," he added.

"We fully support the Congress government on the peace process with Pakistan," said Advani who had met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before leaving for Pakistan.

He said that only way to peace in the region is through dialogue.

Advani said he and Aziz also talked on trade, telecommunications, a proposed gas pipeline, and media relations between the two countries.

He described his visit as aimed at bringing about harmony between the people of two countries.

"I hope this visit will go a long way in helping the on-going peace process," said Advani who is visiting Pakistan with his son and daughter. His wife was also scheduled to accompany but dropped out at the last minute due to family engagements.