Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed told the official APP news agency in Saudi Arabia that the Indian offer of talks was a `tactical ploy' to ease pressure on New Delhi for dialogue but Pakistan wanted `real dialogue' on the issue.

``It is time that India should avoid using the name of dialogue as a tactical ploy,'' the official said while accompanying Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. ``The world can no more remain a silent spectator to the fate of Kashmir and has to intervene in the matter,'' added Ahmed.

Stating that Pakistan has pressed for a `third party' mediation in resolving bilateral issues with India, Ahmed said New Delhi and Islamabad needed an `interpreter' as they speak `different languages'.

``We do need an interpreter, as we speak different languages,'' he said and rejected Indian External AffairsMinister Jaswant Singh's contention the two countries speak the same language and they do not need any interpreter.

``The difference (between India and Pakistan) is basic. Hence, it is all the more necessary to have an interpreter," he added.

Ahmed also said that the worst military showdown between the two states in nearly 30 years, triggered by the occupation of the Kargil heights, was caused by the dispute over the Kashmir region.

``A Kargil-like situation erupts only due to non-resolution of the core issue of Kashmir,'' he said.

APP said Sharif received a telephone call overnight from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressing his ``warm greetings and deep appreciation for the Prime Minister's bold and courageous decision to de-escalate the Kargil situation''.

``Kofi Annan said he was deeply impressed by the Prime Minister's strong commitment to peace and the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and negotiations,'' APP said.

Sharif was expected to return to Islamabad tomorrow evening andto visit areas close to the line of control.