The new ISI chief Lt Gen Mukhtar possesses a vast experience in the field of intelligence and has headed the counter-terrorism wing of the spy agency in Islamabad. He was commissioned in the Armoured Corps regiment in 1983.

Analysts say that it will be a major breakthrough if a meeting is actually realised.

'Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. Please convey to the Pakistani people that they are amazing,' the President-elect told Sharif, claims Pak PMO.

Speaking in the National Assembly during a debate on the Line of Control situation, Aziz said Pakistan is fully capable to defend its border and will not accept any "Indian influence or hegemony" under any circumstances.

Pakistan Air Force Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said it is better if India showed restraint and solved the Kashmir issue to prevent escalation of tension.

Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf submitted the documents containing details of alleged bank accounts held by the Sharif family and loan write-off schemes.

The 70-year-old real estate tycoon had last month described tensions between India and Pakistan as a "very, very hot tinderbox" and offered to be "the mediator or arbitrator" if it was necessary and if the two countries wanted him to, following which the Foreign Office had welcomed such an offer.

Sharif's younger brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar met army chief on Thursday evening.

Pakistan on Thursday deplored India declaring its high commission staffer in New Delhi as persona non grata for espionage activities, terming charges against the diplomatic official as "false and unsubstantiated".

Pak warned of "appropriate action" if India violates the Indus Water Treaty and said it is closely monitoring the situation, amid reports that New Delhi may revisit the key water sharing accord.

Gen Sharif had earlier promised to bow out at the end of his term in November this year.

"Kashmir was main cause of unrest in the region and India must show seriousness for resolution of the issue and honour its commitment under United Nations Security Council Resolutions," Sharif was quoted as saying by Associated Press of Pakistan.

Almedia's name was put on the Exit Control List this week after he reported about a verbal clash between the military and the government.

The Pakistan Army said in a statement that Sharif visited the Haji Pir sector and interacted with troops deployed there.

Condoling the death of Junaid Akhnoon, Pakistan's foreign office claimed the incident was part of "continued Indian atrocities" in Kashmir. "The cold-blooded murder is the worst example of state terrorism of the Indian government and is indeed deplorable," it said in a press release.

The corps commander of Karachi, Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, is most likely to the new chief.

The resolution expressed concerns over the detention of Hurriyat leaders and human rights activists and urged the Indian government to release them.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday hit back at his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, saying poverty cannot be eradicated by "driving tanks on farmlands" and once again needled India by calling Hizbul commander Burhan Wani the "valiant son of Kashmir".

Asserting that it cannot be cowed down by "hollow rhetoric" and "aggressive posturing", Pakistan on Tuesday said its armed forces are fully capable of thwarting any threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, amid escalating tensions with India after the Uri terror attack.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif riefs Opposition on LoC after India's surgical strikes