Increased art and cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan will lead to a 'speedy resolution of disputes', Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the award ceremony of the 5th KaraFilm festival in Karachi, Musharraf said, "I like to see disputes resolved quickly so that more interaction can take place." He added that it was a 'pleasure' to see the large number of Indian artists who participated.
Noting that art and culture in Pakistani society have deteriorated over the past 20 years because of a perception that they did not fall in line with religious norms, Musharraf said his government intended to promote them.
At the festival, the best film award went to 'Gilaneh', an Iranian film and the lead actress, Fatemeh Motamed Arya, won the best actress award.
Among the Indians to win awards at the festival were Anupam Kher (best actor), Nagesh Kukunoor (best director for 'Iqbal'), Shweta Prasad (best female actress in a supporting role) and Sudhir Mishra, Ruchi Narain and Shivkumar Subramaniam (best original screenplay) for 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi'.