Islamabad, Nov 24 (IANS): Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has lamented what he called Pakistan-bashing during campaigning for elections in India.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day 4th Alhamra International Literary and Cultural Conference at the Alhamra Hall in Lahore Saturday, Sharif said his party had never resorted to India-bashing during its election campaign earlier this year, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

He said the Pakistan-bashing that Indian politicians indulged in during election campaigns would prove counter-productive.

Sharif said Pakistan also wanted better and cordial relations with India by settling all issues, including the Kashmir dispute, through dialogue.

He also recalled his meeting with the then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 and said that Vajpayee had showed resolve to settle all issues in an amicable manner and “we have to move forward with this spirit”.