India dilly-dallying on Kashmir issue: Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JAN. 2. Pakistan is of the view that the latest statements from India on the Kashmir initiatives reflect India's desire to `dilly-dally', rather than finding a solution to the Kashmir conflict.

In response to queries from The Hindu on the statement made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, the Director General of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), Maj. Gen. Rashid Quereshi, said that they do not inspire confidence.

Maj. Gen. Quereshi claimed that Pakistan has done every thing to create a conducive atmosphere to resolve the Kashmir conflict. ``We have done every thing to de-escalate the tension and make progress towards meaningful talks''.

On the statement made by Mr. George Fernandes, the chief spokesman of the military said that while India might have positioned six to seven divisions in Kashmir, Pakistan does not even have half of the strength of the Indian forces on the Line of Control. ``Withdrawal of a division is a huge amount of force as far as Pakistan is concerned. We expected India to reciprocate our one-sided and unilateral gesture. Instead, we find that India is raising doubts about the Pakistani withdrawal'', Maj. Gen. Quereshi said.

Arguing that the decision of Pakistan should have motivated India to pull back its troops, he said India could have been justified in its lack of enthusiasm over the Pakistani move if Pakistan had deployed 10 divisions.

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Section  : International
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