I would like to visit Pakistan: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said he does want to go to Pakistan before stepping down but the conditions must be "appropriate".

Asked why he had not gone to Pakistan since taking office in 2004, the prime minister said he "would very much like to go to Pakistan.

"I was born in a village which is now part of west Punjab. But as prime minister of the country, I should go to Pakistan if conditions are appropriate to achieve solid results.

"Ultimately I felt that the circumstances were not appropriate (to visit Pakistan). I still have not given up the hope of going to Pakistan before (giving up office)."