Pak-India foreign secretaries scheduled to meet on Jan 15: Sartaj

Tells NA Kashmir issue also part of dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday said that the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet on January 15 to discuss the modalities and time schedule of the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue.

In written reply to a question in the National Assembly, the adviser on foreign affairs said the planned meeting would discuss the modalities and time schedule of the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue, which would include discussions on all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“As per the joint statement issued on December 9 during the visit of Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be an important item under the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue,” he said.

Dr Shireen Mazari in her question wanted to know present status of Pakistan-India dialogue in the wake of Indian envoy to Pakistan’s statement that India will only discuss ‘Pakistan’s Occupied Kashmir’ in dialogue on Kashmir.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Awais Khan Leghari informed the House that the adviser on foreign affairs would give in-camera briefing to the committee on Iran-Saudi Arabia imbroglio and visit of the Saudi Arabian foreign minister to Pakistan. 

Earlier, speaking on a point of order Dr Shireen Mazari questioned as to why the House was not briefed on recent visit of the saudi minister to Pakistan and present status of Pak-India relations.

Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) said Pakistan should play its due role in defusing tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Shafqat Mehmood of the PTI said Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has directed television channels to avoid over-projection of Iran-Saudi tension, while a television anchor has also been fined by the Authority.

He said it amounted to breach of privilege of the National Assembly if it does not get coverage of proceedings. “All such steps are against freedom of expression on part of the government,” he said.