Pakistan and US to review progress on strategic dialogue: FO

Published January 9, 2014
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam. — File photo
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have agreed to review their strategic dialogue process, said Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam at the weekly media briefing on Thursday.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and US Secretary of State John Kerry would co-chair the strategic review meeting, adding that the dates for the purpose were being discussed and the review was scheduled to take place in Washington.

The spokesperson said there were five working groups for cooperation in different sectors and three of them had already met and added that two groups on counter-terrorism and defence had yet to meet.

Responding to a question, she said there was no confirmation of the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in April this year as stated by the Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.

She said an invitation had been issued, which was accepted, but there was no confirmation about the visit.

Regarding revival of the composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India, Aslam said Pakistan has emphasised on its early resumption. She said India was heading towards elections and it was not known if the process could resume before the polls.

Replying to another question, the spokesperson confirmed that the Saudi Interior Minister would visit Pakistan this month but added that the dates had not yet been finalised as yet.

She said the interior ministries of the two countries were also working on an agreement to be signed on the occasion and added that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already agreed to re-energise their Business Council and cooperate in a number of other vital areas, including energy, infrastructure and investment.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said some high-level visits would also take place between the two countries. Responding to a question, she said Saudi Foreign Minister had stated that his country was not playing any role for talks between the government and militant organisation Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Regarding violence during elections in Bangladesh and the emerging situation, the spokesperson said Pakistan was closely monitoring the country's developments.

She said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was also sending a security team to review the situation in Bangladesh before sending a team for the T-20 tournament.

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