Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Wednesday underscored the need for a structured, sustained and result-oriented comprehensive dialogue process between India and Pakistan.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in response to a question at a media briefing here at the Foreign Office said, “The uninterruptible dialogue process would require commitment from both sides.” He said during a meeting with his Indian counterpart, he affirmed that Pakistan believed “a sustained and structured engagement is imperative for resolving the outstanding issues.”

During the meeting, the foreign secretary said, he highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“I emphasized that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the core issue and it was vital to find a just solution to this longstanding issue, as per the UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.”

He said during the meeting with his Indian counterpart, he also reiterated Pakistan’s call for fair investigation and trial of the Samjhauta Express Terrorist Attack, which resulted in the death of more than 42 innocent Pakistanis. “I expressed our concern over recent news items regarding efforts being made to exonerate some of the individuals who were responsible for the attack,” he added.

On the Pathankot incident raised by the Indian foreign secretary, Aizaz said he informed him that the joint investigation team (JIT) had visited India from March 27 to April 1, 2016. On the basis of information received from the Indian side, the JIT is currently engaged in further investigations, he added.

The foreign secretary said an Indian request to give ‘consular access’ to the apprehended RAW officer Kulbushan Jadev was being examined by the authorities concerned.

“We took up this issue with India, who has accepted that he (Kulbushan Jadev) is an Indian citizen. India has sought consular access and the matter is being examined,” he said.

Aizaz Chaudhry said he conveyed to the Indian side Pakistan’s deep concern on the illegal entry into Pakistan by a RAW officer and his involvement in subversive activities in Karachi and Balochistan towards destabilizing the country. “Unfortunately, such acts undermine efforts to normalize relations between the two countries,” he remarked.

To a question, the foreign secretary rejected the reported Indian assertion that Kulbushan Jadev had been kidnapped, adding, “Jadev was arrested by the authorities concerned and it was also conveyed to India.”

To yet another query, Aizaz Chaudhry said, “We came to know through the confession statement of Kulbushan Jadev that he was stationed in Chahbahar (Iran).” :This issue was also taken up with the Iranian government and we hope that being our friend, Iran will take action on it,” he added.

The foreign secretary said he also held bilateral meetings with other leading delegations including Afghanistan, China and the US to project Pakistan’s perspective and efforts regarding promoting long term peace and stability in Afghanistan.