ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Pakistan will respond next week to Indian proposals for normalization of relations between the two countries, as at present inter-ministerial meetings are being held to sort out issues concerning restoration of overflights, rail links, easing of visa procedure and detained fishermen.
Informed sources told Dawn here on Saturday that as soon as the inter-ministerial meetings, being conducted on the advice of the foreign office, are over the government would come up with a detailed response next week.
“There would be no delay from our side as internal consultations are taking place right now,” said a source commenting on Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha’s statement made on Friday that New Delhi was waiting for Islamabad’s response.
Pakistan, the sources said, was not unwilling to first discussing “softer issues” as proposed by India.
The foreign office is expected to arrange a briefing for President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali in a day or two to obtain their views before responding to the Indian proposals.
On restoration of air links, the sources said, Islamabad wanted guarantees that New Delhi would not unilaterally sever these ties as it did in the past. “In fact we are waiting for India’s reply on this issue and as such there is nothing new on this count,” said a source.
Some of the Indian proposals had already been taken up by Pakistan. For example, Prime Minister Jamali had earlier proposed that a ferry service between Karachi and Mumbai should be resumed which was suspended in 1965. Similarly, on the issue of strengthening of coast guards, Pakistan has already expressed its mind.
“Moreover, our prime minister was the first to call for resumption of sporting ties, including cricket,” another source said, adding that Pakistan was the first to call for restoration of rail links but it was rejected and now India had included it in its peace proposals.
Similarly, Pakistan had also proposed increase in the high commissions’ staff both in Islamabad and New Delhi and “over this issue Indians were to come back to us but they included it in their so-called peace initiative,” said a source.
The sources said though Pakistan would respond to India’s peace offer, it did not believe that without holding dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiris, New Delhi could improve its relations with Islamabad.
