Dates are still being negotiated, says Tasnim Aslam. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and the US are expected to hold strategic ministerial level dialogue in the coming weeks to review bilateral cooperation in various fields, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.
At her weekly news briefing, foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told reporters that the high-level talks would be co-chaired by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and US Secretary of State John Kerry.
“I can formally confirm that there will be a review of the strategic dialogue between Pakistan and US. The dates are still being negotiated. The venue will be Washington most probably,” she added.
The two countries agreed to revive the strategic dialogue in October last year during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s trip to Washington.
Five working groups
Under the dialogue, there are five working groups including on law enforcement and counter-terrorism, economics and finance, energy, security, strategic stability, and Non-Proliferation and the defence consultative group.
“Three of the working groups have already met while the other two, on counter terrorism and finance are expected to meet,” Tasnim Aslam said.
Indian premier’s visit
Answering questions, the spokeswoman said there were no confirmed dates for the likely visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Indian foreign minister has been quoted as saying that Singh will undertake the visit in April this year.
“There was an outstanding invitation which was accepted. We would welcome the visit if it takes place,” she maintained.
“We have been calling for the early resumption of stalled composite dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir.”
However, she indicated that process might not resume in the near future due to upcoming parliamentary elections in India.
“India is heading towards elections and we don’t know if we can expect to resume the dialogue process before elections,” she said.
No comments on Bangladesh
To another question, the spokesperson said Pakistan was constantly monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.
“We might comment on this at some stage when deemed necessary,” she said.
She further said Pakistan government had not yet taken a decision whether to participate in the T20 World Cup scheduled for March in Bangladesh.
“We still have two months. We are monitoring the situation and might decide afterwards. PCB has not contacted the Foreign Office but I understand that they are sending a security team to review the security situation. We still have time to decide,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2014.
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