Conflict resolution must reflect CBMs progress: FO
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Monday said the Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India in their forthcoming meeting being held in New Delhi would review the progress achieved in the second round of composite dialogue process between the two countries.
“The Foreign Secretary level meetings will be followed by the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries later in this month,” said Tasneem Aslam, Spokesperson of the Foreign Office at the weekly briefing. Replying to a question, she said, “Pakistan wants to make forward movement towards resolution of outstanding disputes including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the composite dialogue process.”
The spokesperson said the two countries have made some progress in the context of confidence building measures but still Pakistan wants progress towards resolution of crucial issues. Answering a question about nature of the findings of the neutral expert on Baglihar issue, the spokesperson said the expert shared his preliminary report last month with the two countries on the basis of confidentiality.
She said at the last meeting the neutral expert requested the two sides to offer their written comments which are being discussed at the on-going meeting in Washington. The spokesperson expected the verdict by the expert before end of the year. Commenting on the Russian and Israeli military cooperation with India, the spokesperson said Pakistan does not want arms race in the region.
“We want socio economic uplift of our people and do not intend to enter into arms race with India but we are constraint to at least maintain minimum level of parity,” she said. The spokesperson clarified that Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, scheduled today, has been postponed due to some pressing engagements of the American Assistant Secretary of State Nicolous Burns.
The new dates will be announced after consultations between the two sides, she added. Answering a question, she said, an announcement about the visit of the Chinese President to Pakistan would be made soon. Ms. Tasneem Aslam said Pakistan is doing everything possible to ensure that its territory is not used for violence in Afghanistan.
She said Pakistan has made a number of suggestions including fencing of the international border and selective mining of the Durant Line. The spokesperson said Pakistan has also proposed introduction of restrictions and checks on movements and requirement of documentations on points where such movement should be allowed. She said there have been interactions with Afghan side on various levels. She said, “Pakistan however feels that challenges in Afghanistan are compounded by lack of progress in reconstruction, poppy cultivation, gun running, corruption and role of war lords”.
There is also need for reconciliation in Afghanistan and early relocation of Afghan refugees living close to Afghan border, she added. The spokesperson while replying to another question, said Pakistan and Afghanistan are in touch to sort out modalities for holding of tribal jirgas as agreed between President Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart during their meeting in Washington. She said Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri is expected to visit Kabul in the first half of next month to exchange views with his Afghan counterpart on the subject.