Gilani-Manmohan meeting win-win situation for both countries: FO
ISLAMABAD, March 31, (APP): The Foreign Office said on Thursday that the meeting between Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh and the cricket match at Mohali on Wednesday was a win-win situation for both the countries in the process of engagement. Foreign Office spokesperson Ms. Tehmina Janjua said in her weekly briefing, “Islamabad looks forward to a meaningful progress in the ongoing dialogue.”
The spokesperson said that Pakistan did not underestimate the difficulties but it had faith and confidence for a bright future for the people of region.
She said, “Pakistan is committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India.”
“The dialogue is the only way forward to move towards the goal of establishing good neighbourly and cooperative relations,” she said.
The spokesperson said, “Pakistan wants to move towards a comprehensive and broad-ranging engagement with India on the basis of equality, mutual trust, mutual interest and mutual respect.”
She said that Pakistan was looking forward to a series of meetings that are envisaged between now and July.
These will culminate in the meetings of the Foreign Secretaries and the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in New Delhi to take stock of the progress achieved, she said.
Tehmina Janjua pointed out that there were long-standing issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, that needed to be addressed earnestly, with a view to finding a solution that accorded with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Replying to a question she said the full spectrum dialogue would consist of all the eight segments forming the composite dialogue process.
The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries would discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts, she said.
To another question the spokesperson said the Judicial Committee dealing with the prisoners would meet next month.
She said Pakistan had expressed its readiness to entertain a visit by the Indian Judicial Commission on reciprocal basis in connection with the Mumbai attacks.
Dates for visit of the Judicial Commission from Pakistan to India would be worked out through diplomatic channels, she added.
Responding to a question she said that the issue of the desecration of the Holy Quran by an American priest had been taken up at the highest level with the international community.
She said apart from telephonic conversation between the Presidents of Pakistan and Turkey, Pakistan’s permanent representative at the United Nations had taken up the issue with the UN Secretary General.
“Our permanent envoy at Geneva has also raised the issue at the UN Human Rights Commission,” she said.
The spokesperson confirmed that an Indonesian national suspected to be involved in Bali bombing had been arrested.
She said that the Indonesian High Commission would be given access to their arrested national and it was for them to identify the person.
Replying to a question she said an invitation from Afghan President Hamnid Karzai to Prime Minister Gilani to visit Afghanistan had been received and dates were finalized.
About the Libyan crisis, she said, “Pakistan wants unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Libya”.