Pakistan Positively Evaluates Bilateral Summit With India: FM

Islamabad, Nov. 12, IRNA – Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Friday that the bilateral Summit in the Maldives with India had contributed to impel a seriousness of purpose to the process of engagement. Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India met on the sidelines of the South Asian summit in the Maldives on Thursday and vowed to open a new chapter in bilateral relationship. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the pursuit of peace and discussing all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir in a result oriented manner. Commenting on the Talks between the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India, she said in a statement Pakistan had positively evaluated the talks and welcomed India's readiness for a broad ranging engagement. “It had been agreed to finalize the calendar of meetings. Both sides had also agreed to convene technical working groups prior to the holding of Pakistan India Joint Commission”. She said that both leaders had noted that terrorism was a common problem, adding that instead of remaining mired in accusations and counter accusations, the real way forward was 'cooperation'. The Foreign Minister said that the Interior/Home Secretaries had been mandated to discuss counter terrorism and counter narcotics. “Pakistan's Interior minister was prepared to visit New Delhi and was awaiting dates for the visit from India. Pakistan also awaited dates for the visit of the Judicial Commission from India,” she said. The Foreign minister said that attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, bomb blasts in Samjhota train which had killed many Pakistanis, and other terror related matters needed to be addressed by both sides in the Interior/Home ministries segment./end