Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » News » PTI
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Pak rules out joint relief operations with India, offers help

Get news updates:What's this?
Advertisement
October 10, 2005 09:05 IST
Last Updated: October 10, 2005 16:34 IST

Pakistan on Tuesday ruled out joint relief operations with India in quake-hit Kashmir and instead made a counter offer to help New Delhi in its efforts to deal with the crisis.

"There is no possibility of any joint relief operations on both sides of the Line of Control. There is no population on the LoC," newly-appointed Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasleen Aslam told reporters in Islamabad.

The Pakistan army is operating in villages and towns in PoK, including far-flung areas but not on the LoC, she said.

"We remain willing to help Indians if we are needed for any kind of assistance, like the Indians offered us any kind of assistance," she said.

Replying to another question, she said India has formally been informed of Pakistan's offer.

She said Pakistan was "grateful" for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's [Images] offer of any assistance. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran too spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan on the recently established hotline and offered assistance.

"At the moment we are assessing our requirements. We are getting assistance. We will see if there is need for assistance (from India)," she said adding, we need to keep in mind that the earthquake has hit parts of India and Jammu and Kashmir [Images].

"But if need be, we are ready to help them like they have offered to help us," Aslam said.

Responding to a question about security concerns, she said, "I don't know. Maybe India media has reported about security concerns."


© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback