ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Information Minister Pervez Rasheed has said that the Indian demand that the national security advisor Sartaj Aziz should not meet Kashmiri leaders is an excuse to wriggle out of its commitment to hold talks with Pakistan.
His remarks came in reply to a question regarding an advice by India to Pakistan, asking Islamabad not to engage in talks with Hurriyat leaders on the eve of national security advisors-level talks between the two countries in New Delhi on August 23.
“Pakistan is ready for dialogue with India but would not accept any pre-conditions,” Rasheed told newsmen after a function in Islamabad on Friday.
Rasheed pointed out that India claims to be champions of democracy and human rights but is not willing to allow Kashmiris even to attend a reception.
The minister said that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi is hosting a reception during visit of Sartaj Aziz for which invitations have been issued to a number of guests including Kashmiri leaders. He said that demand of India that the guest list should be approved and cleared by it is not acceptable.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan has conveyed to India that it would not be possible for it to accept the Indian government’s advice regarding Sartaj Aziz’s meeting with Hurriyat leaders, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The statement said that Pakistan is willing to go ahead with the meeting of the two security advisors but no pre-conditions will be accepted in this regard.
