ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Friday that Pakistan has proposed dates to India for resumption of composite dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues, hoping that both sides will engage in an uninterruptable composite dialogue process.
In his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Friday‚ Foreign Office Spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that dates have been proposed for the two of eight elements of composite dialogue – one relates to the Wullar Barrage and the other to Sir Creek.
However, he said India has not yet responded to the proposed dates.
The spokesperson said the Indian side is also expected to up come with its own proposed dates for resumption of dialogue.
Chaudhry said leaders of both the countries have expressed the desire to improve the relations and hoped the two countries will engage in an uninterruptable composite dialogue process.
The spokesperson said we have already started track II diplomacy‚ hoping this will reinforce towards normalization of relations between the two countries.
“Pakistan believes in peaceful neighborhood and has taken steps to improve relations with all its neighbors including India,” he said. He hoped Pakistani gesture will be reciprocated in the same manner.
On drone attacks inside Pakistani territory‚ the spokesperson said Islamabad has categorically conveyed its concerns on the drone attacks to the United States.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said our position has been noted and hoped it will receive due consideration.
He maintained that “Drone attacks are in violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws as well as counterproductive in the war against terrorism.”
When asked about the outcome of the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry‚ the spokesperson pointed out that Pakistan and the United States have agreed to resume the strategic dialogue.
The spokesperson said the five working groups including on energy‚ economic cooperation and counter-terrorism within the strategic dialogue will meet in the next two months and hold hectic discussions on enhancement of cooperation in different fields.
Chaudhry said the ministerial level dialogue in six months will be the culmination of the work done by the working groups.
“Pakistan seeks relationship with the United States on the basis of mutual interest and respect,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further said the United States has already committed to contribute two hundred million dollars in Diamer-Bhasha dam.
In the context of acute energy shortage‚ Pakistani side has shared a non-paper with the US side on the significance of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and other projects which are in the pipeline, he said.
