Pak Insists Kashmir to Be Focus of Talks

Following India’s talks of foreign secretary level talks, Pakistan has made it clear that Kashmir will be Pakistan’s main focus, reported NDTV.

After a high-powered inter agency meeting, Paksitani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Geo News that February 25 was not a bad date and that talks could not be meaningful without Kashmir, said report.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said India is ready for dialogue but not ready for talks on Kashmir.

“Regarding the question that India wants talks but not talks on Kashmir, I think the Foreign Office will be touch with them, the foreign secretary also. We should not jump to conclusions and should wait to see what they really suggested. I am certain that composite dialogue is the only way forward between two civilised countries,” he was quoted as saying.

In his briefing to the media, the Information and Broadcasting Minister also said that Kashmir was a core issue between India and Pakistan and it would remain a central point of dialogue with New Delhi, said report.

“Pakistan was fully committed to resolve all issues including Kashmir and water with India through talks as war could not resolve any issue,” he was quoted as saying.

NTDV reported quoting sources that the emphasis of talks could not be dictated in such a manner.

Report said that the two countries must approach the talks with open mind, conscious that there are complexities involved and that we need to unravel these complexities with a view to peacefully resolving them.

India is not interested in resumption of the composite dialogue, said report citing sources.

Report said that India is willing to discuss all issues but not in composite dialogue format.

India wants incremental talks, starting with Foreign Secretary-level, which can expand later.