NEW DELHI (APP) - Federal Minister for Population Welfare Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan called on President Congress Party Sonia Gandhi here on Monday as the two ladies discussed such matters of mutual interest as resumption of composite dialogue between their respective countries. Dr Firdous said that both the governments were facing major challenge of terrorism with leader of Pakistan Peoples Party Banazir Bhutto Shaheed herself falling victim to it. There is a dire need for the two countries to root out this menace, she said. She said that Rajiv Gandhi (late husband of Sonia Gandhi) and Banazir Bhutto served as Prime Ministers of their respective countries in the late 1980s and the two visionary leaders found ways to reduce the then prevailing tension in the sub continent and to promote conducive environment for peace in the region. Unfortunately both the leaders are not with us any longer but their parties are in power and in keeping with vision of their leaders, negotiations and dialogue should be restarted which is the only way forward, she said. Dr Firdous said that the interaction started between the Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh should not be stopped and conscious effort should be made to continue this process. The Minister said that population explosion is the main cause of breeding social evils and India and Pakistan should exchange their expertise to face this challenge. She also lauded the efforts of Indian Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for organising the meeting. Earlier, Dr Firdous said, on her arrival Sonia Gandhi received her with a bouquet. Sonia remarked that aroma of these flowers would convey message of goodwill between the two countries. Dr Firdous said that she also greeted Sonia Gandhi with a shield from Ministry of Population Welfare and a book Journey to Pakistan. She also invited Sonia Gandhi to Pakistan.