February 10, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 8,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the government and people of Pakistan desire talks with India to resolve all outstanding issues including core issue of Kashmir.

In an interview with BBC radio, the minister said: “We want to hold dialogue, we want to sit together for resolving the issues mutually, but India takes such steps which increase bitterness and block emergence of a pleasant atmosphere.”

Mr Ahmed said Pakistan did not want to expel the Indian diplomats, adding “They were involved in such activities which were incompatible with their official status but Pakistan was tolerating them under the sentiments of goodwill gesture.”

He said: Pakistan did not want to take a decision which leads to further bitterness, adding “but when India on Saturday staged a drama to expel five Pakistani diplomats on false accusations, we had no choice but to take notice of their undiplomatic activities.”

Meanwhile, talking to CNN, he said, the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats is the worst decision, which will affect all the peace efforts that are being made from Pakistan side.

He said, this is the Indian drama they always do. They make a plan and manage to have such kind of stories. Delhi police are very famous for such kinds of cases and they do this as per the advice of the Indian government.

Mr Ahmed said: “India wants to provoke us which we will not and we want to live peacefully and want to solve our all problems with discussion on the table.”

Unfortunately, this is a second decision within a month against diplomatic norms, he said adding “We condemn this and sincerely believe that India should realize that we have to live as peaceful friendly countries.”

Mr Ahmed said, India is indulging in a campaign to defame Pakistan as Indian leaders are upset over Pakistan’s worldwide recognition for its anti- terrorism role.

“On the other hand, Indian terrorism against the innocent Kashmiris has been exposed.”

He said Pakistan had always been acting in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and joining the international efforts against terror.—APP