Friday, March 15, 2013

India not exploring oil and gas in disputed areas: Khar

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday told the Senate that no oil and gas exploratory activities by India have been reported in the disputed Sir Creek marshland.

The area is under surveillance by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Pakistan Navy, Khar said in the Upper House of the parliament in reply to a question.

She said that Pakistan has been making efforts to normalise relations with India but negotiations can only be successful if the other party shows flexibility too. She said the issue of Sir Creek, which opens into the Arabian Sea and divides Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat from Sindh province of Pakistan, can be resolved easily in comparison with other bilateral issues with India.

In response to another question, the foreign minister said Pakistan will not let the individual incidents make the negotiation process hostage in any case. She said Pakistan is committed to peace with all its neighbours including India and it has manifested it through various steps.

Both the countries have separate lists of priorities to be resolved with each other like terrorism is mainly a Pakistan-related issue.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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