ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: In another step towards normalization of bilateral relations, Pakistan and India will open technical- level talks on resumption of air links between the two countries on Wednesday.
The two-day talks between officials of Pakistani and Indian civil aviation authorities will take place at a hotel in Rawalpindi.
A five-member Indian delegation headed by Mr Satendra Singh, director-general of India’s civil aviation, reached Pakistan on Tuesday.
Maj-Gen Mohammad Ashraf Chaudhry, additional secretary, ministry of defence, will lead the Pakistani side.
Officials told Dawn that Pakistan would “remain constructive” during the talks that would also address the issue of over-flights.
“We will proceed in a spirit of cooperation and with an open mind,” a senior official said.
A paramount element in the talks will be the assurance that there will be no unilateral suspension of links in future.
The Pakistani side would push for such guarantees to safeguard the interest of both the parties.
“If sufficient guarantees are secured Pakistan would be receptive to the idea of resuming both air links and over-flights,” sources said.
Officials involved in the process say once both sides give the green light, two months is the minimum period required for resumption of flights. They point to the logistics that have to be worked out, airline offices that have to be re-established in both the countries and selection of the new personnel at both ends.
