ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: Initial contacts between Pakistan and India for consultations on the modalities of a composite dialogue, agreed by the the two sides here on Jan 6, are likely to begin next week, diplomatic sources told Dawn on Friday.

"Initial contacts through the diplomatic channels could be made by next week," the sources said. The consultations would address the key questions of dates, venue, agenda and level of the composite dialogue, they said.

The high commissions and foreign offices of the two countries would be the channels through which initial contacts would be established, the sources said.Talks would begin in New Delhi on Jan 19 to discuss the Indian proposal of starting Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service .