The fourth round of Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India should now move from "confidence building measures (CBMs) to dispute resolution," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said here on Monday.
Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India will head delegations of their respective countries in the fourth round of composite dialogue beginning here on Tuesday. In her weekly press briefing, the spokesperson said: "The two Foreign Secretaries will discuss two specific issues, ie Jammu and Kashmir as well as peace and security."
"It is important that we now move from CBMs to dispute resolution and Pakistan believes that early resolution of Jammu and Kashmir will pave the way for durable peace in this region and bring about greater co-operation in South Asia," she added.
With regard of peace and security, the spokesperson said, "it encompasses both nuclear and conventional issues and there are a number of ideas on the table, which include Pakistan's proposal for strategic restraint. She said by "strategic restraint" Pakistan means conventional arms balance, nuclear and missile restraint and conflict resolution.
She hoped that Pakistan and India would be able to finalise a number of agreements in the 4 rounds that had been under discussion for some time. "These include speedy return of inadvertent line crossers, visa relaxation regime and quarterly flag meetings of sector commanders and early activation of a committee on the release of prisoners to which Pakistan attaches high priority," she added.
Tasnim said that two sides would also work out the schedules of meetings of remaining six working groups on Siachen, the Wollar barrage, Sir Creek, counter terrorism, narcotics, cultural exchanges, people-to-people contact and trade.
Referring to a report that the ruling Indian Congress Party has rejected Pakistan's proposal for demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson said: "We have nothing to do with internal discussions in India; we will focus on what Indian government has to say to Pakistan and what is their response to the ideas given by the president of Pakistan." She said in a statement the Indian Prime Minister had welcomed these ideas and he stressed the need to discuss them with an open mind.
She said the government had taken several steps in this area and expected the State Department to acknowledge the same. Tasnim emphasised that it would prudent for any country to avoid making critical comments on human rights issues as no country could claim that it had perfect human rights record.
She said Pakistan strongly opposes an attack by anyone on Iran since it would not only affect Pakistan but would also destabilise the whole region. She said though Pakistan does not face any threat from anyone presently, yet it was capable of defending itself and repulsing any aggression.
APP ADDS: The spokesperson said various suggestions on resolving the Kashmir will come up for discussion. The spokesperson said early resolution of Kashmir issue would ensure peace, security and development in the region.
The spokesperson said there was no Indian prisoner of war in Pakistan. To a question about the visit of a few family members of Indian soldiers to Pakistan who died during the war between the two countries, the spokesperson said although there was no Indian prisoner of war here, President Musharraf accepted the request of some of the Indian families to visit Pakistan for their satisfaction.
Answering a question about the legislation under discussion in US Senate about linking aid to Pakistan with the progress in the war against terrorism, the spokesperson said various bills were under discussion of the American legislators.
She said Pakistan was in touch with the US administration and it had been assured by them that there would be no language prejudicial to Pakistan in the bill. "We hope that they (American) will fulfil their promise in this regard," she added.
Commenting on a statement of Foreign Minister that Pakistan would respond if any one cast an evil eye on it, the spokesperson said it was not related to any specific threat to the country.
She said, "There is no fresh threat to Pakistan from any side and only some concerns have been created in the media." Commenting on the meeting of Jirga Commissions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the spokesperson said during the meeting both the countries exchanged information and were working on it.