HYDERABAD, June 17: Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar has said that talks between Pakistan and India are in progress for withdrawal of troops from Siachen and soon a good strategy will be formulated in this regard.

Talking to journalists in Tando Muhammad Khan after inaugurating several road and electric supply schemes in different villages of the district, the minister said that Siachen had the unique distinction of having the world's highest border posts.

He said that secretary-level talks were recently held and both countries were likely to succeed in formulating a comprehensive strategy for withdrawal of troops from the area.

In reply to a question about Arsalan Iftikhar case, Syed Naveed Qamar said that following directives of the Supreme Court, the government had formed a legal committee which would submit its report soon.

He said that opponents of political parties were trying to politicise the issue with the aim of gaining sympathies with the people for the next general elections. He said that people were fully aware of such tactics of opponents of the government.

About the issue of Zulfikarabad project, the defence minister said that the project was in the interest of the people of Sindh as with the establishment of the new city, the people of the area would enjoy maximum facilities.

He said that rising population demanded establishment of more cities in order to provide better civic facilities to people. He said that Zulfikarabad project would bring about economic development in the province.

The minister criticised the role of nationalist parties on the issue and said that they were only misguiding the people.

Referring to PIA the minister said that the government had appointed a new chairman of the organisation and it was hoped that policies of the new chairman would bring significant improvement in the performance of the organisation.

The minister said that there was no contribution of PIA in the federal budget because the PIA had its own revenue generation policy.

About restoration of Nato supplies, Mr Qamar said that all decisions in this respect would be made by the government keeping in view the national interest.

About local government elections, the minister said that the government would surely hold local government elections.

Earlier, the minister inaugurated schemes of electric supply in Village Razi Khan Chandio and Village Chakkar Jamali. He also inaugurated link road schemes in Village Qasim Sand and Haji Ahmed Sand.—APP