Pakistan's FS Reaches New Delhi to hold Talks
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk Report

NEW DELHI (India): Pakistan's Foreign Secretary, Riaz Khokhar Friday said that he viewed his talks with Indian counterpart Shyam Saran to be held here tomorrow (Sunday) as positive.

He was talking to the newsmen on his arrival here at Indira Gandhi International Airport at the head of seven-member delegation.

Earlier Riaz Khokhar was warmly received by Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saren, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Aziz Ahmad Khan, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Shiv Shankar Menon, Deputy High Commissioner, Munawar Saeed and other officials of External Affairs Ministry and Pakistan High Commission.

Kashmir Issue

Responding to a question, Riaz Khokhar said that Kashmir had always been discussed in all rounds of talks held between India and Pakistan. "During my previous visit to New Delhi, Kashmir issue was discussed. Foreign Minister will also discuss Kashmir issue during the upcoming talks," he said.

To another query, he said that Pakistan had taken notice of some recent statements of the Indian leaders. He said that Pakistan's proposals on different issues were very clear.

About the resumption of Mona Bao-Khokhrapar route, he said that there was no problem in opening up the route. However, he added, different modalities had to be discussed in this regard.

Optimism

When asked how he viewed the upcoming parleys with his counterpart, Riaz Khokhar replied "positively."

"Our talks are a lot simpler. We will have a joint review of the entire gamut of the composite dialogue process and prepare the agenda" for the upcoming meeting between the Foreign Ministers Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and K Natwar Singh on September 5 and 6.

Topics

Pakistan's first independent E-Newspaper, 'Pakistan Times' understands that during Saturday meeting, the FS-level moot will review the recently held composite dialogue on senior officials level and prepare agenda for the meeting between foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.

Eight different issues including Kashmir, Sir Creek, Wuller Barrage, Trade and Peace and Security would be discussed at the meeting.

The Team

Other members of the delegation included Salman Bashir, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), Jalil Abbas Jilani, Director General (South Asia), Masood Khan Director General (UN) and official spokesman, Zehra Akbari, Director (Kashmir Affairs), Tehmina Janjua, Director (FSO), Tariq Zameer, Director (India) and Irfan Shaukat, Assistant Director (India) in the Foreign Office.

Consultations

Earlier, ahead of crucial Indo-Pak upcoming talks, the UPA government today held consultations with opposition leaders and allies, who emphasized on furthering the people-to-people contact between the two countries.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held discussions with his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the morning.

Singh, who will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on September five, later held an hour-long discussions with leaders of UPA allies Ram Vilas Paswan of Lok Janshakti, Mehbooba Mufti of PDP, Dayanidhi Maran of MDMK and Ramdas Athavale of RPI.

President, PM discuss progress on Dialogue

'Pakistan Times' Federal Bureau in Islamabad adds: President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz attended a meeting on Friday to review the progress of the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan and delineate a strategy to carry the process forward.

Both leaders were given an in depth briefing by Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz H. Khokhar regarding various aspects of the dialogue process.

The President and Prime Minister emphasized that progress on all issues including the Jammu and Kashmir issue was essential.

They reiterated that Pakistan was seriously committed to the promotion of peace and stability in South Asia, which was essential for the development and prosperity of the people of the region.●