Pak for early resumption of dialogue

Ajay Kaul

Yekaterinburg (Russia), Jun 16 (PTI) As Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Asif Ali
Zardari met here, Pakistan Tuesday sought an early resumption
of dialogue, saying it would be the "most sensible thing" to
do as it is in the interest of both the countries.

"The most sensible thing to do now would be to resume
dialogue as soon as possible. It is in our mutual interest.
Both countries stand to gain by resumption of dialogue.
Pakistan feels it is an useful exercise," Pakistan Foreign
Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who came out in the midst of
the meeting between the two leaders, told reporters.

"We made progress (through Composite Dialogue). It was
slow but steady. The people of South Asia would stand to gain
from it," he said.

Qureshi said Pakistan itself was a "victim of terrorism"
and that the menace was not country-specific.

"We are victims of terrorism, but as a nation we have
decided to act in a decisive manner and there has been lot of
dislocation," he said, apparently referring to the situation
in Pakistan's restive Swat valley.

Qureshi said all countries agree that terrorism has to be
condemned and fought "from wherever it emanates... India,
Pakistan, UK and America."

Asked what will Singh and Zardari discuss, Qureshi said:
"When we sit and discuss, whatever issues of mutual concern
are there they will come up."

On Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's comments
that Kashmir is the core issue between India and Pakistan,
Qureshi said: "As you know it is one of the segments of the
Composite Dialogue. It is an outstanding issue. Both countries
recognise it as such."

On JuD chief Hafeez Mohammed Saeed's release, he said:
"Courts in Pakistan are independent like in India. We have to
respect their independence."

Asked whether Pakistan will appeal against the Lahore
High Court's order releasing Saeed, suspected to be behind the
Mumbai attacks, from detention, Qureshi said: "The right to
appeal exists and the provincial government is contemplating
it."

On the status of the five people arrested in connection
with the Mumbai terror attacks, Qureshi said: "It was for the
internal ministry to respond."

On whether he thought India and Pakistan should make
joint efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan, Qureshi said:
"There has to be a regional approach. All regional players can
contribute and should contribute."

"We are here discussing problems related to India. If
there is a need to discuss Afghanistan... we will." PTI AKK
SCY
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