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Pak. for talks on lists
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, JAN. 22. In yet another twist to the ongoing tussle over the lists of fugitives from both sides, Pakistan today asked New Delhi to come to the negotiating table to discuss various ``complicated'' aspects related to issue.
The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan, said at the regular briefing that sensitive and complex issues related to fugitives could not be discussed through the media. He was responding to a specific question on the status of the list of wanted criminals Islamabad wanted to give to New Delhi. On Saturday, the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Abdul Sattar, had announced that Pakistan was ready with a list of its own.
The spokesman said he was not in a position to give details of the list of terrorists alleged to have taken refuge in India on the plea that it would take time to collect details and facts. He urged the Government of India to discuss and sort out differences over the ``complicated questions'' and legal problems arising out of Pakistan's response to Indian demand for extradition of 20 criminals.
Asked about the statement of the External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh, that India would respond in ``double- time'' to extradite any Pakistani fugitives hiding in India, Mr. Khan said Pakistan had taken note of it.
Asked why Pakistan chose to wait till India gave its list, Mr. Khan gave a detailed reply in which he stressed the need for the two countries to discuss the lists as well as issues relating them. ``In such matters there are several complicated questions involved. There are questions of legal, local legislation, existence or non-existence of extradition treaty. These are matters that cannot be discussed like that, either through press statements or by making statements. I think the best course of action would be that the two countries sit across the table and discuss all issues,'' he said.
Asked for his reaction to Indian response to steps taken by Pakistan, Mr. Khan said ``the Indian response has not been that forthcoming.''
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