Fourth round of experts-level talks on nuclear CBMs between Pakistan and India will begin here from Tuesday. Briefing newsmen, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan would approach two-day talks in a "very constructive manner."
She said Pakistan has already tabled several proposals, and would bring up some more during the discussions, including a draft agreement on prevention of incidents at sea in order to ensure safe navigation.
In line with the understanding arrived at during the third round in August last year, the two countries have already signed an agreement for pre-notification of ballistic missiles flight-testing and has operationalised the hot line.
The third round of talks on conventional CBMs would follow the talks on nuclear CBMs from Thursday.
The spokesperson said technical level discussions, focused on operational and logistic details of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar truck service and Rawalakot-Punch bus service, would be held in New Delhi on the second and third of next month.
In reply to a question, she expressed hope for "some forward movement" in talks on Siachen dispute during the foreign secretaries-level talks between the two countries.
To another question, Tasnim Aslam said there are 535 Pakistanis in Indian jails, including 476 civilians and 59 fishermen. National status of 131 civilians has already been confirmed and another 147 are awaiting consular access. Similarly, there are 614 Indians in Pakistani prisons that include 109 civilians and 505 fishermen. National status of 300 has already been confirmed and consular access provided.
About the possibility of a visit to Pakistan by the Indian prime minister, Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan did extend an invitation and the Indian premier accepted it. However, there are no dates for the visit at yet.
She told a questioner that President Pervez Musharraf telephoned his Iranian counterpart mainly to discuss the gas pipeline project.
About crisis in Nepal, the spokesperson expressed concern over escalation of violence, and hoped a solution within the constitutional framework of that country would be found. She said Pakistan is committed to Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
The spokesperson said the first round of strategic level dialogue between Pakistan and the United States would be held in Washington next Wednesday and Thursday.
About inclusion of ISAF and Nato in the Tripartite Commission, she hoped that it would result in increased co-ordination. She told a questioner that Pakistan is not aware of the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden.
The spokesperson said there are presently 13 Pakistanis incarcerated at the Guantanamo Bay prison and Pakistan has sought consular access to them.
Replying a question, Tasnim Aslam said the government of Pakistan is presently sharply focussed on crackdown on human smuggling mafia, who send people abroad on fake documents. She said arrangements are being worked out with different governments to get manpower demand and process it at the government level to safeguard interests of the people.
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