No progress on composite dialogue with India: foreign office

Pakistan said on Thursday there has been no progress on the composite dialogue with India and reiterated the statement of Foreign Minister that Pakistan was interested in meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with India. Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit in his weekly briefing said, "We (Pakistan) are interested in meaningful dialogue with India and now the ball to revive the dialogue process is in India's court."
Replying to a question about Indian involvement in Balochistan and other areas, he said, "We neither believe in blame game nor point securing." He, however said enough has been said on this issue adding that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also took up the issue of Indian involvement in Balochistan during his meeting with his Indian counterpart in Sharm El Sheikh.
The Spokesman, commenting on the recent agreement between India and Russia on nuclear issue said Pakistan has concerns on this agreement and had been calling for strategic balance in South Asia. He said Pakistan also has legitimate interest in the strategic balance in the region and was of the view that this balance should be maintained under all circumstances.
Answering a question about back channel diplomacy with India, the spokesman said it has not been started yet. He said, "there is no back channel diplomacy yet." On the reports of withdrawal of some troops from Kashmir by India, the spokesman said, "We do not have any information about the withdrawal of Indian forces from Srinagar."
Replying to a question about any shift in American policy and reports of attack inside Pakistan, the spokesman said there was no question of 'hot pursuit phenomena'. He said Pakistani forces are capable to deal with the terrorists inside the country and they do not need any foreign assistance and help. The spokesman said record of Pakistani forces against the militants speaks for itself.
Answering a question about revised foreign policy of US, the spokesman said Pakistan has been discussing it through diplomatic channels. He said some senior level diplomatic visits from US are expected in next week during which the latest US Afghan policy would be on top of the agenda. Replying to a question about the arrest and later release of foreign diplomats in Lahore, the spokesman no one is above the law.
He said there are certain norms and diplomatic rules that should be observed by all foreigners in Pakistan as the Pakistani diplomats observe in their respective countries. On the question of presence of al Qaida leadership in Pakistan, the spokesman said US leadership has also accepted that they did not know the whereabouts of the al Qaida leadership.