ISLAMABAD, May 15: Pakistan has said it is optimistic about progress in the peace process with India when the two countries resume their dialogue next week.
Indian allegations of firing across the Line of Control and the recent blasts in Jaipur would not affect the spirit of the dialogue, said Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq at his weekly briefing on Thursday. “Progress has already been made over the past four years and we hope to make further progress.”
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee will hold meetings to wrap up the fourth round of the Composite Dialogue with Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on May 21. The ministers will review the progress made and set the tone for the next round of talks expected to commence later this year.
The political review will be preceded by a meeting of the foreign secretaries of the two countries on May 20.
The spokesman said the two sides would deliberate on how to address the outstanding issues in a more ‘meaningful way’.
Pakistan intends to put forward a set of proposals to give fresh impetus to the Composite Dialogue started in February 2004.
Mr Sadiq said: “We are committed to the peace process and seek peaceful resolution of all issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
The eight-point agenda for the talks comprises peace and security, including confidence-building measures; Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and Wullar Barrage; terrorism and drugs trafficking; economic and commercial cooperation; and promotion of friendly exchanges.
About Indian allegations of firing across the LoC, the spokesman denied that there had been any firing from the Pakistani side. This, he said, had been communicated to India at the battalion commanders’ flag meeting.
Mr Sadiq said Pakistan condemned the recent terrorist acts in Jaipur. Being a victim of terrorism itself, it denounced terrorist acts all over the world.
MISSILE STRIKE: The spokesman said Pakistan was investigating the Damadola incident of Wednesday in which at least 12 people were killed. “It is not clear whether it was a missile attack, rocket attack or internal explosion.”
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will visit Egypt from May 17 to 20 to attend the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Sharm El Sheikh. This will be the prime minister’s first overseas trip.
“On the sidelines of the forum, he is expected to meet US President George W. Bush, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad,” the spokesman said.
ARRESTS IN SPAIN: Pakistan has asked Spain to expedite the legal process regarding nine Pakistanis detained on charges of terrorism.
The spokesman said the profile of the arrested persons did not fit into that of terrorists and he earnestly hoped that they were innocent.
A group of 12 Pakistanis belonging to the Tableeghi Jamaat was arrested in Barcelona on Jan 18. Three of them were released a few days later. On Jan 23, the remaining nine were charged by an anti-terrorism court.
Mr Sadiq said only one court hearing had been held so far.
The spokesman said that Pakistan would dispatch two planeloads of relief supplies for earthquake victims in China. The supplies will include food items, medicines, bottled water, tents and blankets. More supplies could be sent if required, the spokesman added.
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