Refraining from commenting on the internal turmoil in Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday hoped the neighbouring country will find pragmatic and effective means to overcome the present "difficulties".

"I wouldn't like to comment on internal developments in Pakistan," he told journalists on board his special aircraft when referred to the political turmoil in the neighbouring country where President Pervez Musharraf had imposed emergency on November 3.

Dr Singh said he sincerely hoped that Pakistan would find "pragmatic, practical and effective means" to overcome the "difficulties", through which the country is passing.

"I have said on more than one occasion that the destinies of our two countries are very closely interlinked. A strong, prosperous, stable, peaceful and democratic Pakistan is in our interest," Dr Singh said.

He was talking to journalists on way to Singapore to attend the Association of South-East Asian Nations and East Asia Summits.