Resume three-way talks: Pak.

By B Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JAN. 23. Pakistan today made a guarded response to another extension of the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian Government and called for the resumption of a three-way dialogue.

A terse statement by a Foreign Office spokesman expressed the hope that New Delhi would demonstrate its sincerity by actually implementing the ceasefire on the ground ``unlike the past two months'', while militant outfits termed it a ``farce'' and vowed to continue their operations in the State.

The contrast in the military government's reaction to the first (November 19) and second (December 20) announcements from New Delhi and today's extension is too glaring to be missed. Today's reaction was a blunt message to New Delhi to move beyond the ``rhetoric'', end the alleged repression in the Valley and get down to a serious dialogue.

Accusing India of continuing with its old ways, the statement urged New Delhi to respond to its December 2 formulation if it was really serious in resolution of the Kashmir conflict and resumption of the dialogue.

It urged India to allow the Hurriyat delegation to visit Islamabad without any further delay and pave the way for tripartite dialogue. ``Peace can be established only if the Kashmir problem is settled in conformity with the will of the Kashmiri people'', it said.

Hizb, Lashkar reject move PTI reports:

A spokesman for the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Mr. Salim Hashmi, said the two-month long ceasefire had ``not brought any change in the ground situation.'' ``The extension of the ceasefire would be meaningless unless the Indian Government is prepared to hold tripartite talks to resolve the Kashmir dispute.''

The Lashkar-e-Taiba spokesman, Mr. Yahya Mujahideen, said from Lahore that his organisation had rejected the ceasefire even when it was announced two months ago. ``The latest announcement has not made any difference to us. We will continue with our operations.''

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