Pakistan welcomes Indian proposals, floats counter-peace proposal
IRNA
Islamabad, Oct 29 -- Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed a set of proposal floated by India for confidence building measures and hoped that this would lead to resumption of meaningful dialogue on all issues including Kashmir. Unfolding Pakistan`s response at a news conference in Islamabad, Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar offered a set of proposals for what he called the `benefit of the people of Kashmir`. "Pakistan would offer one hundred scholarships for Kashmiri students to study in professional institutions, provide treatment for disabled Kashmiris and assist widows and victims of rape in Indian held Kashmir through international human rights organizations," Khokhar said. India`s proposals included a bus link joining the capitals of disputed regions of Kashmir, which Khokhar called a "noble idea" but called for UN monitoring of the bus service. "Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service proposal is a welcome move in principle but since Kashmir is a disputed territory, there should be UN manned check points on the Line of Control and people could move with UN documents," the Pakistani official said. He said Pakistan has accepted Indian proposal to hold second round of technical level talks for resumption of air links on first and second of December this year. Pakistan has also proposed to India the resumption of the Samjhota Express train service to promote people-to-people contact and facilitate divided families. The Foreign Secretary, however, made it clear that Pakistan would not accept any linkage between talks for the air links and for the resumption of the train service. India suspended all communication links with Pakistan in January 2002 following attack on Indian parliament by unidentified gunmen. India had blamed Pakistan-based Kashmiri groups for the attack. Khokhar expressed satisfaction that India has responded favourably to Pakistani prime minister`s proposal for restoring sporting ties and said Pakistan looks forward for such ties in all fields of sports including cricket. The foreign secretary termed holding of visa camps in various cities of the two countries as a good idea. He, however, pointed out that it will require an increase in staff of high commissions of the two countries. He proposed restoring full strength of the diplomatic missions to 110, which stood in December 2001. "Pakistan has also welcomed Indian proposal to allow senior citizens of 65 and above to cross over from Wagah border," he said. About Indian proposal for additional bus service between Delhi and Lahore, the secretary said if Pakistan`s proposal for Samjhota Express train service is accepted by Indians, that would be far more convenient for the people of the two countries. He said Pakistan had proposed in February last an Memorandum of Understanding between Maritime Security Agencies of the two countries for the establishment of a hotline to facilitate in handling fishermen. "Pakistan is also prepared to treat forty Indian children, twenty each in Karachi and Punjab". He said Pakistan has no difficulty to the Indian proposal for resumption of shipping service between Mumbai and Karachi. He however, said it was terminated in the 1960s and both sides have no infrastructure at the moment. "This issue and the restoration of bus and rail links between Khokharpar and Monabao can come up when the composite dialogue is resumed". "These moves on the part of Pakistan is in the positive direction," the foreign secretary said. He said Pakistan is clear that it wants improved relations with India but on the basis of dignity, honour and mutual interest. Replying to a question, the foreign secretary said there is no question of setting aside the core problem of Jammu and Kashmir. He said there are very fundamental issues between the two countries that need to be addressed. "Pakistan has accepted those proposals which it considered are reasonable and would like to see them implemented," he said. TK/TSH/212 End
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