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Pakistan asks India to engage seriously in composite dialogue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 21, IRNA
Pakistan-India-Dialogue
Pakistan asked India on Monday to engage seriously in composite dialogue to reach an acceptable solution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute and to put forward such proposals which could lead to an amicable resolution of the issue.

Pakistan is making earnest efforts to find a solution to the Kashmir issue, which is the core of their longstanding strained relations.

Pakistan, for this purpose, has floated numerous proposals which include self-rule, demilitarization and joint administration, Foreign Office spokesperson Ms Tasleem Aslam said during her weekly briefing in Islamabad.

Many Kashmiri leaders have also supported the proposals which have been made by Pakistan in good faith and in the interest of resolving peacefully their longstanding dispute.

She expressed the hope that India will respond positively to Pakistan's proposals and put forward its own proposals in order to come up with an honorable solution to the issue. She, however, made it clear Kashmiris would not accept any solution based on the status quo.

To a question regarding the release of Pakistani prisoners from Indian jails, the spokesperson said the two governments were in touch with the matter and that Islamabad was expediting the release of such prisoners.

She said Pakistani consulate in India had given access to 78 prisoners and the status of 105 prisoners had matured.

She rejected the Indian assertion of cross-border terrorism and said Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism and is taking relentless efforts to end this menace.

She said Pakistani efforts in the battle against terrorism have been recognized at the international level.

To another question, the spokesperson said Pakistan believes that the nuclear deal between the United States and India will not help achieve stability in South Asia and will also not fulfill the spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

She suggested that the United States, instead of going into this deal, should have worked out a package deal that would bring stability to the region, non-proliferation and ensure Pakistan's energy needs.

She said Pakistan's civilian nuclear facilities were under safeguards.

The spokesperson rejected as baseless the statement of Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Abdullah regarding the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

Such statements do not deserve to be commented upon, she said.

Pakistan, she added, does not need to take a certificate from anyone for its anti-terror role.

She said the Pakistani government had nothing to do with the meetings of Osana bin Laden and Jamaat-e-Islmai chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

Pakistan has done more than any other country for the
rehabilitation and prosperity of Afghanistan.

Regarding the Pak-Iran gas pipeline, she said there has been progress on the project.

She expressed hope the US Congress will take into account Pakistan's laws to facilitate implementation of the project.

2020/235/2321/1414