Summary Tasnim Aslam said India must initiate peace dialogue to improve bilateral ties.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News)—Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam briefed the media in Islamabad on Thursday, saying that the US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to visit Pakistan to lead his country s delegation. The preparations for the dialogue including visit dates are being finalized, she added.
Talking about Indian firing on LOC, she said Pakistan has strongly protested against it by contacting the Indian deputy high commissioner. Moreover, a protest note has also been handed over to the Indian high commissioner containing details of the incident.
According to Tasnim, Pakistani soldiers were asked for a flag meeting from India and then they were ambushed. She said it is violation of international laws. Pakistan has demanded India to investigate the incident, she told the media.
Talking about case of Mumbai attack s accused mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Tasnim remarked that the case is progressing well and creating hype about it would be useless.
She also said that the case about Samjhota Express terror attack which took place two years before Mumbai attack has seen no progress. The accused Swami Aseemanand, who had confessed his involvement, was released on bail. Moreover, India has not shared any findings of the terrorist attack with Pakistan.
She affirmed that Pakistan is determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and also has the support of international community including Afghanistan and United States in the fight. The country has undertaken operation against terrorists and it is being carried out successfully.
About the future prospects of India Pakistan bilateral relations, the spokesperson said the Indian side cancelled the scheduled foreign secretary level talks and it depends on India to initiate talks.
She informed that Pakistan and India have exchanged list of prisoners as per May 2008 agreement on consular access.
According to the foreign office spokesperson, Pakistan handed over a list of 526 Indian prisoners to the Indian high commission. These include 50 civilians and four hundred and seventy-six fishermen.
