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Pak links de-escalation to resumption of talks

K J M Varma in Islamabad

Pakistan on Friday linked its response to the Indian decision of opening its air corridor to Pakistani flights, to resumption of dialogue to resolve all issues, including Kashmir.

Major General Rashid Qureshi, press secretary to President Pervez Musharraf, described New Delhi's June 9 decision on air spaces as 'cosmetic' and said, "All issues could be discussed if India resumes the talks to discuss the process of de-escalation as well as other thorny issues, including Kashmir."

"Whatever Indians have done so far are totally cosmetic and to ease their own problems and we do not want to respond to such measures. What we are looking for intimation of talks to resolve all disputes, especially the issue of Jammu and Kashmir," he was quoted by local media as saying on Friday.

"Pakistan will consider any proposal after initiation of communication by India," Qureshi said, and also added that a response would be considered after India formally communicated its decision (on air spaces).

Indian officials in New Delhi, however, maintained that New Delhi's recent decisions including the one on opening of its air corridor were communicated to Pakistan through diplomatic channels.

Qureshi said 'once and for all' the Kashmir issue should be settled amicably. "Once we sit to talk on the core issue, the de-escalation would automatically be there."

Qureshi's comments came in the wake of Islamabad's silence on Indian announcement to open its skies, which was conveyed to the Charge de Affairs of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on June 10.

While Pakistan pulled back its naval ships immediately in response to the Indian announcement, it did not make any move to open its skies to Indian flights.

Even the Pakistani civil aviation officials have been maintaining that they have not received any communication from their government or from their Indian counterparts.

PTI

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