Pakistan says dates for NSA-level talks still under consideration

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said the dates for the NSA-level talks with India as agreed by the Prime Ministers are still under consideration. Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah during his weekly briefing said, “It is premature to talk about the agenda of the meeting which will be prepared in due course.”

Asked about proposed meeting of the National Security Advisors — Ajit Doval and Sartaj Aziz — in New Delhi on 23-24 August, he said the dates were still under consideration. On ex-Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) chief Tariq Khosa’s recent article stating that the Mumbai attack mayhem was planned and launched from Pakistan, Khalilullah said, “I will not comment on views of an individual and related media reports. Trial is still going on with regard to Mumbai attacks. You are aware that additional information is required from India so that the trial can be concluded in Pakistan.”

Talking about humanitarian considerations, Khalilullah said Pakistan from time to time had been releasing Indian fishermen, including the recent release of 163 fishermen. On the stranded deaf and mute Indian girl Geeta, he said that the Indian High Commissioner has held a meeting with her in Karachi which showed that the Indian side was making efforts to locate her parents in India.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson also said that Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was in touch with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs over its national Chanda Bibi and has sought details about her.

According to Pakistani media, Chanda Bibi was caught in Jalandhar by Indian railway police, for allegedly travelling on Samjhauta Express without ticket and passport. During the briefing, Khalilullah also talked about the issue of talks between Afghanistan and Taliban. He said Pakistan’s role is that of a facilitator and the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.

“It is, therefore, up to Afghans to decide about the date of the second round of peace talks. Pakistan facilitated the first round of talks and will also facilitate the next round,” he said.

Khalilullah hoped that the Afghan leadership will stay engaged in the process of peace talks in order to promote a lasting peace in Afghanistan. He also said that Russia has shown interest in gas pipeline project from Karachi to Lahore, called South-North gas pipeline.

PTI