Islamabad:
After the NAM summit, the government has been criticised for the Indo-Pak joint statement in Egypt. But over in Pakistan everyone is pleased with the outcome of the Sharm al Sheikh meeting. But a few still believe that disputes like Kashmir must be resolved before any progress can be made in other areas.
The handshake between India and Pakistan and everybody is beaming - from bureaucrats to politicians in Islamabad's corridors of power. For the PPP government, bogged down by a bloody war against terror groups and an economic downturn - it's a relief.
"This delinking of terrorism from the composite dialogue is significant for the simple reason that linkage had been created since Mumbai. If it is delinked it means that there is recognition of 2 things; one that the threat of terrorism is common to India and Pak. Secondly the operations we are carrying out in Swat and FATA - the sea change in attitude and situation on the ground has persuaded the international community and the US and then as a fall out the Indian government that Pakistan is serious in tackling this issue and therefore there is hope in other areas," said Rashid Rehman, Senior Journalist.
But PM Manmohan Singh's statement that there cannot be any composite dialogue till those behind Mumbai attacks are brought to justice has worried many in Pakistan. But largely the mood is one of hope.
"What is new is to talk about the composite dialogue. To talk about resolving all outstanding issues and we have not seen that in a long time and I do not think that we should expect any dramatic developments or resolutions, but to the extent that we are finding our way back - that is important,"said Abbas Rashid, Peace Activist.
And then there are those who believe that any talks with India are futile till Kashmir is resolved.
"There will be some criticism. The hawks will insist as they always do that without the resolution of the Kashmir issue and the resolution according to a large body of critics, the UN resolution, plebiscite and those were relatively more pragmatic. At least some internal political solution to IHK - without that there is no prospect of progress on any other front and this will be a failure foretold," said Rashid Rehman.
Political dialogue between India and Pakistan is as unpredictable as a cricket match. But this time round the outcome of the Sharml al Sheikh meeting has pleased everyone, except the hawks who believe that long standing disputes like Kashmir must be resolved before progress can be made in other areas.