ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi had agreed during the latter’s surprise pit-stop in Lahore on last Christmas to have foreign secretaries of the two countries meet in Islamabad in mid-January without assigning the exact date for the same.
Well-placed sources in the Foreign Office told The News on anonymity that the developments of the last 72 hours have vitiated the ambiance for any meaningful interaction and it is unlikely that the foreign secretaries would be able to meet anytime soon. The situation
would become somewhat clearer tomorrow (Wednesday) as the top leadership of both the countries is acting in responsible manner and the leaders are reluctant in becoming tool for any escalation although Indian media is playing harsh and in irresponsible way.
The Indian leaders have put their heads together to ponder over the situation but they haven’t issued any obnoxious statement. Pakistan has already condemned the incident in strongest words. The sources said that the leadership of the two countries is aware that calling off the meeting of the foreign secretaries would be viewed as the victory of the terrorists who have been committing the acts with the sole purpose to derailing the process.
The foreign secretaries had to chalk out schedule for the Comprehensive Composite Dialogue in their proposed meeting. To a query the sources reminded that the assumption of deferment of the foreign secretaries’ talks would be out of place since the two capitals haven’t agreed for the meeting for any specific date.
It has been speculated that national security advisers (NSAs) of the two prime ministers Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and Ajit Doval respectively could have another meeting before their foreign secretaries get-to-gather but the sources have shown ignorance about such proposal.
The sources pointed out that the situation in Pakistan’s neighbourhood is volatile and Islamabad would take every step with utmost care. A high-level meeting will take place in the Foreign Office today (Tuesday) where the overall situation would be reviewed and report would be submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Sri Lanka. The meeting would be chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. It is understood that the huddle would also discuss the situation in the Middle East where Pakistan is sticking to its strategy on staying away from the conflict as Pakistan wouldn’t side with any of the countries. Pakistan has condemned attack on Saudi missions in Iran and termed it as unfortunate. It has consoled Saudi leadership but it hasn’t been received well in Tehran. Sartaj Aziz will take Parliament into confidence with regard to Pakistan’s position pertaining to the conflicts in a day or two, the sources said.
