News
Friday, October 22, 2010
Pakistan demands result-oriented talks with India* FO spokesman calls on world to help settle Kashmir dispute
* Rejects Indian claims dialogue failed because of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday again warned that nothing less than a sustained and result-oriented dialogue with India to resolve the long-standing disputes including the Kashmir issue could ensure peace and prosperity in the region.
Replying to a question at a weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said, “Aspirations of the people of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) cannot be suppressed for ever and they will ultimately win their right of self-determination.”
He called upon the international community to use its good offices with India to help settle this longstanding dispute.
The spokesman rejected Indian claims that dialogue between the two countries in July this year failed because of the non-cooperative attitude of Pakistan. He explained that it was India’s attempt to underplay IHK and other important and unavoidable issues that caused the impasse in the meeting.
Basit also contradicted Indian claims that the two sides were about to sign an agreement and said the document, which was being negotiated by the two sides, contained a road map for future engagements. However, India was not ready to give Pakistan a definite timeline on IHK, Siachin, peace and security issues.
The spokesman said, “It was not possible for Pakistan to agree to a document which does not contain a clear time-frame of discussions on the issues”.
To a question, Basit acknowledged that Pakistan had proposed a visit by a judicial commission to India in order to move the whole trial process forward in Pakistan relating to the Mumbai incident.
“The commission would most likely be a two-man entity and its scope, mandate and terms of reference are being worked out,” he added.
Asked to comment on the Indian air chief’s remarks about the situation in Pakistan, the spokesman asserted that countries do have problems and difficulties, but as far as Pakistan’s defence was concerned, it was impregnable in every respect. He said, “Pakistan is fully alive to its security requirements and its armed forces are capable of responding to any aggression.”
About the ongoing Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington, the spokesman said working groups on energy, health, law enforcement, counterterrorism, economy and finance and women empowerment will meet on Thursday.
He said, the two sides will have in-depth discussions on the post flood-situation, including the Pakistan government’s response and reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements of the country.
He said US President Barack Obama met with a Pakistani delegation on Tuesday and reiterated that the US would continue making focused efforts to further strengthening broad-based Pakistan-US relations in mutual interests and on the basis of mutual respect.
Basit said Obama also informed the delegation that he was looking forward to visiting Pakistan sometime next year.
To a question, the FO spokesman said a legislation regarding reconstruction opportunity zones had been under consideration by the US Congress. He hoped that it would be expedited so that Pakistan had greater market access for its products in the US.
Commenting on a question, Basit said that Pakistan supported the Afghanistan-led reconciliation process in the country.
About US demands for a military operation in North Waziristan, he said Pakistan had its own strategy to deal with terrorism and whatever it does will be in its national interests. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk