India using delaying Tactics on Baglihar Dam: Pakistan
Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that the composite dialogue and CBMs process with India have not been collapsed due to failure of talks on Baglihar Dam issue though it will have indirect impact on the dialogue process.

The Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan in his weekly briefing Monday said dialogue process and CBMs have not been collapsed and hoped that the talks held recently will culminate into other talks in near future which will have move forward toward resolution of contentious issues.

He said CBMs and composite dialogue on all issues including Kashmir and Peace and Security will continue at all levels.

He said Pakistan has invited Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh to visit Pakistan. The dates for visit of Natwar Singh are being worked out.

SAARC Summit

Similarly, the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will meet his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of SAARC Summit in Dhaka.

Answering a question, the spokesman said Kashmir is the core issue between Pakistan and India and is on the top of agenda in talks. He said resolution of Kashmir issue will pave way for the resolution of other issues.

Baglihar Dam Issue

Regarding talks on Baglihar Dam issue, he said the negotiating team has come back and will brief the Prime Minister about the whole situation. He said after reviewing the situation, Pakistan will take appropriate action for future.

He said Pakistan and India are major parties of Indus Waters Treaty and it is the responsibility of both the countries to build trust and maintain sanctity of the accord.

He said water is a precious commodity and it should be shared according to the treaty. He made it clear that if India wanted to resume talks on Baglihar Dam it will have to stop construction work on the dam.

He said Pakistan engaged itself in talks with India on the issue in good faith but it was unfortunate that India used delaying tactics.

He said Pakistan has exhausted all bilateral channels and abided the treaty while India has violated it and it is now Pakistan’s right to approach World Bank for the appointment of neutral expert.

To a question, he said people of Kashmir are much concerned like people of Pakistan on the construction of Baglihar Dam.

Fencing on LoC

Regarding fencing on LOC, Masood Khan said it is in violation of Karachi agreement and also other international agreements.

He said India is committing human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir which also must stop.

To another question regarding ban on issuance of visas by Kuwait to Pakistanis, he said the Foreign Office has written to its Embassy there and the Embassy is in touch with the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry to seek clarification in this regard.●