News
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Pakistan, India to meet again next month: Khar* Foreign minister tells NA both countries have agreed to convene separate meetings of expert groups on nuclear and conventional CBMs in Islamabad next month
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have agreed on convening separate meetings of expert groups on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures (CBMs) in Islamabad next month, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Giving a policy briefing in the House on her recent visit to India, the minister informed that both the countries were also in agreement to resume the work of Pakistan-India Joint Commission as well as to hold ministerial-level meetings in the first half of the next year to review progress of dialogue process.
“This will be preceded by secretaries-level talks on counter terrorism, including Mumbai trial, narcotics control, humanitarian issues, commerce and economic cooperation, she said.
The minister said it was the desire of Pakistan to make dialogue process with India uninterrupted and uninterruptible. “We want to create conducive environment in which the two countries could talk about core issues and move towards their resolution,” Khar said. She reiterated that Pakistan was seeking good relations with all its neighbours, especially with which it had traditionally difficult ties. Pakistan wants to build trust with countries like India and Afghanistan and begin a new era of cooperation, she said.
About here visit to India, the foreign minister said the two countries had frank, constructive, cordial and meaningful dialogues and agreed to carry forward the process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues.
India was conveyed that Pakistan remains committed to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, she said, adding that Pakistan also conveyed its desire that it wants meaningful and result-oriented engagement on Jammu and Kashmir and that serious consideration should be given to associate All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) with Pakistan-India dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan also conveyed its serious concerns over violation of human rights of the Kashmir people and emphasised the need for respecting their fundamental rights and freedom, Khar told the lawmakers. She said Pakistan raised the water issues and emphasised the need for respecting the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Both the countries agreed to uphold the sanctity of the IWT as well as issues related to Wullar Barrage, Tulbal Navigation Project, Sir Creek, Siachin, peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges also figured in the talks.
Khar said she delivered a letter of invitation from Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to the Indian prime minister for a visit to Pakistan, which was accepted. She said before foreign ministers-level talks with India, Prime Minister Gilani took the entire political leadership into confidence on the dialogue sending a strong message that Pakistan was serious in engaging with India. Khar said during her stay in New Delhi she met with Kashmiri leaders, including Syed Ali Gilani and Mir Waiz Umar Farooq assuring them that Pakistan remains committed to its political and legal position on Jammu and Kashmir and would continue to support their cause. She reiterated Pakistan’s continued support to associate true representatives of Kashmiri people in dialogue process with India on Jammu and Kashmir.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk