Recalling Delhi yatra: Adverse incidents disrupt Pak-India talks, says Khar

Says the two countries agreed to enhance travel, trade facilities across the LoC.


Qamar Zaman August 10, 2011
Recalling Delhi yatra: Adverse incidents disrupt Pak-India talks, says Khar

ISLAMABAD:


Every time dialogue between Pakistan and India gains momentum, it is interrupted by some untoward incident, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Tuesday.


Islamabad wants an “uninterrupted and uninterruptable” peace process with New Delhi, but would never compromise its principled position on core issues, she added.

“Uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue means we want to hold meaningful and result-oriented talks, and for that, both sides need to ensure a conducive environment in which two countries can talk about core issues, including Kashmir, and move towards a resolution,” Khar said.

Briefing the National Assembly on her maiden India visit, Khar in her policy statement said, “We want to build trust with countries such as India and Afghanistan and begin a new era of cooperation.”

She informed the House that during her visit, the two sides held ministerial and secretaries-level talks on eight issues, including counter-terrorism, economic and commercial cooperation, Wullar Barrage, Siachen, Sir Creek, peace and security including CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and the promotion of friendly exchanges.

“He [the Indian foreign minister] got a message from Pakistan that we are serious in engaging with India. It is our desire to engage with India in a meaningful way,” she said.

Pakistan raised water issues and emphasised on the need for respecting the Indus Water Treaty, and both countries had agreed to uphold the sanctity of the treaty, Khar added.

The foreign minister said that during her stay in New Delhi, she met with Kashmiri leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and assured them of Islamabad’s commitment for continued support towards the Kashmir cause.

Khar said that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved peacefully, and in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.

She said India had conveyed its concerns over terrorism and the trial on Mumbai attacks while both sides had agreed to hold separate meetings of experts on nuclear and conventional CBMs in Islamabad in September. The two countries also agreed to resume the work of the Pakistan-India Joint Commission.

Khar added that the two countries had also agreed to enhance existing facilities for travel and trade across the Line of Control (LoC).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2011.

COMMENTS (38)

Vicram Singh | 13 years ago | Reply

@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: " .... India looks to split into various many parts like Khalistan, some in North and some in East by Maos, RSS and Shiv Senaas soon. As per your home Minister India too have Local and indegenious LOCAL TERRORISTS. ... "

Dr. Sid, the following scenario has a very likely change of unfolding in Pakistan. You should worry more about how you and your family will be affected, rather than repeatedly referring to Khalistan, Maoists, R.S.S, Shiv Sena, etc.

Here goes:

1) Unrest in Sindh by nationalists and non-nationalists over plan to separate Karachi and Hyderabad into a separate province - a.k.a Mohajir sooba.

2) ANP/Pashtuns in Karachi join Sindhi Nationalists fearing Karachi and Hyderabad will pass into control of Mohajirs. Given MQM's penchant for violence, non-Urdu speakers fear possible ethnic cleansing.

3) Violence flares up again in Karachi, as the talks for separating Karachi and Hyderabad into provinces take place. The situation degenerates into Urdu speakers vs others. Punjabis get caught in the crossfire.

4) Pakistan military has to be called into Karachi. But the military is already stretched out - guarding the western and eastern borders.

5) Martial law declared. Elected government overthrown.

6) Situation still not under control. Taliban/Al-Q operatives sense opportunity and entrench themselves in Karachi Port - disrupting shipping, trade and commerce. Pakistan Navy ordered to sail out to sea to prevent assets from falling into Taliban/Al-Q hands.

7) Pakistan requests UN intervention.

8) China occupies Gilgit Baltistan on pretext of protecting "developmental projects". India airdrops troops and equipment into Gilgit Baltistan and in a supreme twist of irony, Indian troops and detachments from the N.L.I stand face to face against the Chinese.

9) Your guess is as good as mine.

Romm | 13 years ago | Reply @chandran Is Balochistan a disputed like kashmir, talk sense not Nonsense plsssss
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