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ISLAMABAD Oct 4: Pakistan on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the ongoing composite dialogue with India, but also underscored the need of an early solution of Kashmir dispute ‘so that both the countries could go ahead in tandem in bilateral free trade and investment.’
In his hour-long meeting with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh at prime minister’s house, Mr Aziz said that Pakistan was an open economy, but it would like to enter in free trade and investment with India in tandem with the solution of Kashmir issue, sources privy to the meeting told journalists.
He said: “We want to broaden our relations in all spheres of life but Kashmir issue is all the more important which we desire to be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of people of Kashmir and all the parties must show flexibility, magnanimity and courage in tackling the issue.
Mr Aziz told the Indian minister that Pakistan wanted peace and stability in the region and would like to take necessary steps to achieve the objective.
He described the ongoing composite dialogue between the two countries and current exchange of views between their foreign ministers as fruitful for taking forward the process of normalising Pakistan-India ties.
The prime minister also discussed with Mr Singh the water dispute between the two countries, particularly, Baglihar dam, in which Pakistan has sought the World Bank’s arbitration, and Kishanganga and other related issues.
The issues of enhancing air flights and destinations between the two countries, extension of banking, with the lingering issues of Sir Creek and Siachin also came under discussion in the meeting.
Earlier, while leaving prime minister’s house, the Indian foreign minister described his talks with Pakistani leadership as highly fruitful.
UK DEFENCE SECRETARY: The premier also received visiting British Secretary of State for Defence John Reid and discussed with him among other things ways and means to enhance Pakistan-UK defence cooperation, both in equipment and training.
In the meeting, Mr Aziz spoke about a number of issues — including international fight on terror with reference to Pakistan’s contribution, nuclear issue, EU-Iran stand-off and Afghan affairs.
Pakistan, Mr Aziz said, was against nuclear proliferation and desired that the nuclear issue between Iran and the European Union was resolved on the IAEA level, instead of being referred to the UN Security Council.
Referring to steps pertaining to beefing up border security and the part that Pakistan had played in smooth conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections in Afghanistan, he said: “Whatever we are doing was is in our own country’s interest.”
Stability and peace in Afghanistan, he added, was in the interest of peace in Pakistan.
Talking on the fight against terrorism, the prime minister said whatever Pakistan was doing was not aimed at appeasing external power or under its pressure.
He told Mr Reid that Pakistan had deployed 80,000 troops along the Afghan borders to maintain border security and prevent movement of undesirable elements to and from Afghanistan.
Mr Aziz told the British official that Pakistan was against nuclear proliferation, adding that it had no aggressive designs against any nation and maintained minimum deterrence for its defence.
He appreciated the role that the ISAF had played in returning peace and stability to Afghanistan and said that Pakistan had a continued coordination with ISAF high command in matters related to politics, economy and border security.
Later, talking to journalists, the UK defence secretary said that Pakistan was doing enough in the fight against terrorism and killing of almost 300 of its troops in fighting militancy in tribal belt was testimony of its seriousness about weeding out the menace.
He said that no one would underrate the contribution that Pakistan was making in the international crackdown on the terrorists when seen in the light of its high achievements.
