Colombo: Prime Minister Imran Khan has hoped for better relations with all neighboring countries and said that the only way forward for the sub-continent is to resolve differences and improve trade relationship.

While addressing the first Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference in Colombo on Wednesday, PM said that the only dispute between India and Pakistan is Kashmir issue and it can be resolved through dialog and diplomacy.

"Immediately after I came into power, I offered Indian government a chance to holds peace talks with Pakistan and said that the way forward for the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue. I didn't succeed but I am optimistic that eventually sense will prevail,” he said adding,

"All Pakistan want is for the Kashmir dispute to be resolved according to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and this can only be achieved through dialogue.”

Imran Khan said that he entered politics with the dream of a welfare state and poverty alleviation.

“25 years ago, when I entered politics I believed that the best way to reduce poverty in Pakistan was to setup a welfare state. Our government has taken a number of steps aimed at easing of doing business, removing impediments in the way of investment,” he said.

PM also invited the Sri Lankan business community to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project that would open immense opportunities for the country opens in Central Asia.

“Incentives have been offered to the business community to invest in Special Economic Zones being established in Pakistan. We can learn from Sri Lanka in tourism as Pakistan has enormous potential in this field,” he said.

Earlier, while addressing the ceremony, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan's focus has now been shifted from geo-politics to geo-economic.

“The government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is committed to take advantage of geographical location of Pakistan to make it economic hub,” he said.