Pakistan-India exchange Drug issues draft; Fibre optic link soon
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk

NEW DELHI (India): Pakistan and India on Tuesday exchanged a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on efforts and bilateral cooperation to deal with drugs related issues.

A joint statement, issued at the conclusion of two-day parleys between Narcotics officials of the two countries, said the two sides positively engaged with each other on issues relating to trafficking of drugs, psychotropics and precursor chemicals.

Pakistan's delegation at the talks was led by Director General, Anti Narcotics Force, Major General Nadeem Ahmed, while the Indian side was headed by Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Swaraj Puri.

Objectives

During talks held in a "cordial and constructive atmosphere", the two sides discussed means of enhancing bilateral cooperation in exchange of information and operational intelligence, said the statement.

Both countries agreed that next round of talks will be held in Pakistan in on mutually agreed venue and dates to be decided through diplomatic channels, the statement maintained.

Joint Statement

The Joint Statement said, "Pursuant to a decision taken at the Secretaries-level meeting in August last for institutionalising agency-to-agency cooperation, both sides exchanged a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on drug-related matters."

Pakistan's delegation called on Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil during the stay, said the statement. Other members of Pak delegation included Brig Marjan Khan, DG/DIG, Rangers Punjab, Brig Ashfaq ur Rashid, Force Commander Punjab, Lt Col Shaukat Hussain JD (SIC), Khizer Hayat, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control and Khalid Jamali, First Secretary, Pakistan High Commission to India.

Fibre optic link between India, Pakistan soon

Establishment of fibre optic link between India and Pakistan is under consideration and a final decision will be taken soon, said Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari Tuesday in Islamabad.

"We will be able to finalize this issue during next 1-2 months," the Minister said. Awais Leghari said, with the establishment of fibre optic link more qualitative telecommunication services would be available on cheaper rates.

To a question, he said several Indian IT and Telecom companies were interested to invest in Pakistan in this particular sector and a delegation will visit Pakistan in this connection.

Privatisation of PTCL

Replying to a question about privatisation of PTCL, the IT Minister said five leading foreign companies have showed their expression of interest (EOI) to participate in the process.

During this year, an investment of $ one billion has been made in telecommunication sector which is a record, the Minister added.●