ISLAMABAD - Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Friday said Pakistan has proposed dates for resumption of composite dialogue process with India for resolution of outstanding issues, adding response from New Delhi is still awaited.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesman said the dates have been proposed for two out of eight points of composite dialogue and that related to Wullar Barrage and Sir Creek. He, however, said India has not so far responded to the proposed dates. He added the Indian side was also expected to come up with its own proposed dates for resumption of dialogue. He recalled that leaders of both the countries had expressed the desire to improve the relations and hoped the two countries would engage in an uninterruptable and uninterrupted composite dialogue process.
He said, “We have already started track-11 diplomacy that will help normalise relations between the two countries. Pakistan believes in peaceful neighborhood and has taken steps to improve relations with all its neighbours, including India.”
Describing the resumption of strategic dialogue process between the US and Pakistan as the most significant development, Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry hoped it would build productive bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said resumption of the strategic dialogue process with the United States was a significant outcome of Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit during which both the countries discussed all the bilateral issues, including drone attacks.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and the United States enjoyed an important relationship based on mutual respect and trust, adding these ties had many points of convergences and divergences and after the resumption of the strategic dialogue process, all these issues would be taken up. He said working on various subjects like energy cooperation, investment and trade between Pakistan and the United States would be started very soon and ministerial-level talks on these subjects would be held within six months as stated by John Kerry following the talks between the two countries.
The spokesman said Pakistan very effectively conveyed its point of view on drone attacks during the meeting with John Kerry and the issue would continue to be an important point of discussion in the strategic dialogue process. He said Pakistan conveyed that these drone attacks were violation of its sovereignty and counter-productive besides violation of international rules and regulations. He said the recent visit of John Kerry to Pakistan has contributed to improving the bilateral relations which are now back on track.
About the US economic contribution, the spokesperson said the United States has already promised to support Basha Dam project and has announced $200 million.
About the reaction on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the spokesman said Pakistan has conveyed its importance of energy sector projects like this to the United States, saying in Islamabad’s view the US sanctions did not apply to this project.
On drone attacks, he said Pakistan had categorically conveyed its concern to the United States, adding, “Our position has been noted and hoped it will receive due consideration.” “Drone attacks are violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws as well as counter-productive in the war on terrorism,” he added.