FO rules out setting up visa office in Lahore-Amirtsar
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Monday reiterated its commitment to the peace process with India and emphasised the need for flexibility by the other side for the success of the composite dialogue. Foreign Office spokesperson Ms. Tasnim Aslam said in a media briefing that Pakistan and India had been engaged in the process with sincerely and had been discussing the Kashmir issue. She said Pakistan required flexibility from the Indian side so that the dialogue process succeeds. Replying to a question about opening of visa offices in Lahore and Amritsar, the spokesperson said, “so far there was no such proposal”.
She said Pakistan and India would open consulates from the start of the next year and that would help resolve some of problems being faced by the people in getting visas. The spokeswoman also said Pakistan had already agreed to procure some important items from India under the Indian offer of 25 million dollars in aid for the earthquake relief efforts. On the issue of Kishan Ganga, the spokesperson said Pakistan has been considering the options of appointment of a neutral expert or taking the issue to an arbitrator.
About the visit of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chief Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, she confirmed that the he would undertake a visit to Pakistan along with a delegation but so far Pakistan had not received the names of the members of the delegation. Replying to a question about the visit of Mr. Katwari of Kashmir Study Group, the spokesperson said the visit was related to relief and rehabilitation work in the quake hit areas. Answering a question regarding NATO’s presence in Pakistan, she said the NATO forces were here to assist relief and rehabilitation work in the earthquake affected areas and they had done a tremendous job in saving lives and helping the people.