The Hindu : Pak. hails Delhi's decision

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 27, 2003

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Pak. hails Delhi's decision

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD May 26. Pakistan tonight welcomed the decision of India to accept its proposal for resumption of the suspended Delhi-Lahore-Delhi bus service as a `positive gesture' and expressed the hope that it would agree for a meaningful and serious dialogue for resolution of all issues, including Kashmir.

The Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, said that Islamabad was keen not only on restoring travel and transportation links with India but also initiating serious talks on all contentious issues. He made it a point to mention that it should include what he termed as ``core issue'' of Kashmir.

Sources in the Pakistan Foreign Office said a formal reaction to the Indian decision would be given tomorrow. There is little doubt that it would welcome the Indian acceptance.

However, it would once again emphasise the need for restoration of ties to pre-December 13, 2001 status.

A senior official in the Pakistan Foreign Office told The Hindu that Pakistan would like India to accept all the confidence-building measures outlined by the Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, on May 6.

In his statement, Mr. Jamali had accepted to proposals made by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, for appointment of High Commissioner and resumption of air links.

Besides, he had sought diplomatic status quo as it existed between India and Pakistan prior to the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack and dialogue on nuclear and security-related issues.

The India-centric measures announced by Mr. Jamali are: immediate restoration of the snapped rail and road links on a reciprocal basis; restoration of air links as proposed by Mr. Vajpayee; release of all Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails besides 20 Sikh youth and 14 members of Rajhalaxmi cargo boat as a goodwill gesture; proposal for resumption of sporting ties to begin with in the fields of cricket and hockey and proposal for restoration of staff strength of India and Pakistan missions to pre-December 2001 level and suggestion for dialogue between the two countries on nuclear security-related issues as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding in the Lahore Declaration.

The SAARC-related confidence building measures which would have a bearing on India-Pakistan ties are: the decision by Pakistan to add 78 more items on the list of items that could be imported from India; decision to approach SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu proposing dates for the SAARC Summit scheduled in Islamabad and decision of Pakistan to hold the thrice postponed South Asian Federation (SAF) games.

However, so far Islamabad could initiate action only on two CBMs.

Of the 300 odd Indian prisoners in different Pakistan jails, it has released 20. It is in the process of appointment of a High Commissioner and the delay and confusion on the choice of envoy has been a great source of embarrassment to the Pakistan Foreign Office.

Though Pakistan has agreed on resumption of air links, there has hardly been any progress on the subject as Islamabad has remained ambiguous on the issue of over-flight facilities despite New Delhi seeking specific clarification.

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