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Pakistan, India poised to restore all communication links

IRNA

Islamabad, Dec 20, IRNA -- Prior to the SAARC summit, the arch rivals 
Pakistan and India, are poised to restore their all communications 
links next month. 
The formal launch of the summit of South Asian Association of 
Regional Cooperation will be on January 4, but it has already set a 
pattern of building of confidence between the two South Asian nations.
Islamabad and New Delhi embarked upon this `vital journey`, 
several months ago, when bus service, suspended in 2001, was revived 
and this did not stop here, air links are set to resume on January 1. 
Similarly, they have decided to restart Samjhota Express train 
service from January 15. 
All communication links were suspended between the two after a 
terror attack on Indian Parliament in December 2001, which afterwards 
brought the two on verge of a war. However, international efforts bore
fruit and it was averted. 
Besides, a flurry of movement is on across the Pak-India Wahga 
border, tinged with parliamentarians, intellectuals and artists coming
and going, spreading a message of peace and friendship. 
Islamabad and New Delhi relationship is marred by three wars and 
ever-brewing tensions, since their creation in 1947 over Kashmir 
issue. One part of it is controlled by Pakistan while the other by 
India. 
The SAARC summit, to be held from January 4-6, is widely expected 
to bring India and Pakistan close to each other, paving way for a 
meaningful dialogue to settle Kashmir dispute. 
Earlier this year, the summit was postponed in the wake of India`s
non-confirmation. However, the situation has witnessed some positive 
developments, which include Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee`s 
confirmation to attend the summit to be held in Islamabad. 
Notwithstanding the fact that SAARC Charter does not allow 
discussion on bilateral issues during the summit, Pakistan President 
General Pervez Musharr and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali 
are hopeful it could lay foundation for resumption of Pak-India 
dialogue. 
The leadership of both the countries has not ruled out possibility
of Pak-India leadership parleys on the sidelines of the summit to 
thrash out some details to settle the core issue of Kashmir once for 
all. 
In what appeared to be a paradigm change in Pakistan`s Kashmir 
policy, President Musharraf reportedly said on Thursday that Islamabad
was ready to forgo the demand of a UN-mandated plebiscite in Kashmir, 
if New Delhi also showed flexibility in its stance on the issue to 
settle it once for all. 
Peace between the two can boost economic activity in the region, 
besides realization of Iran-Pak-India gas pipeline project and other 
development schemes, which remain eclipsed due to their tense 
relations. 
MHA/TSH/216 
End