Three points on LoC in Kashmir "operational": India
PakistanTimes.net Staff Report

NEW DELHI (India): India Tuesday said three points on the Line of Control [LoC], Teetwal in Tangdhar, Aman Setu in Uri sector and Chakan Da Bagh (Poonch) in India held-Kashmir are "operational" to provide relief to quake-affected people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

"The three points have become operational for providing relief to people from across the LOC", Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said. "Whosoever is in a position to come across will receive medical treatment and relief material" he told reporters.

Dismissing reports about differences between New Delhi and Islamabad over the setting up of these relief points on the LOC, Mukherjee said the points had been erected at sites after consultations between the two Foreign offices, according to a news report here.

"The Director General of Military operations of the two sides had telephonic talks yesterday on the issue", he added.

Hard Problems, Ground Realities

Billing the quake relief was a humanitarian task, Mukherjee made it clear that "no romanticism could be attached to it". "There are hard problems and ground realities, which we have to recognize", he said.

Perspective

An earlier report had said that Pakistan has formally responded to the Indian proposal relating to establishment of camps along the Line of Control to provide relief to the earthquake affected people. “We are ready to receive Indian delegation anytime to work out the modalities for free movement of Kashmiris“ said Foreign Office spokesman Tasnim Aslam while briefing newsmen.

She said Indian response is still awaited to Pakistan’s proposal for designation of five points on the LoC to facilitate Kashmiris to meet and help each other. Pakistan is proposing to India to send official delegation at the soonest to discuss the two proposals and work out modalities, she said by adding; Pakistan is ready to receive or send delegation even today. She hoped that if everything goes well then the arrangement should be in place within this month.

To a question she said Pakistan is ready that officials from both sides should deliver relief assistance at the identified and agreed points. To a question the spokesperson said Pakistan would discuss with NATO its offer of assistance. In fact, she said Pakistan has already communicated its requirements of reconstruction, mainly relating to building of hospitals, schools and roads. She clarified that NATO assistance is coming on the initiative of the organisation itself and Pakistan did not appeal for NATO troops.

She said Chairman Senate would lead Pakistan’s delegation at the international donors conference being held in Geneva on Wednesday. Advisor on Finance Dr Salman Shah would be the deputy leader of the delegation and its members would include among others Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.

Optimism

Pakistan expects to get commitments at the donor conference not only for relief but also for the reconstruction of quake hit areas. The spokesman said Pakistan is grateful to the international community for its valuable assistance during rescue and relief phase and hoped that it would continue to provide necessary aid during reconstruction phase. She pointed out that some countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and NATO established air bridges to provide vital relief goods.

PM to visit Russia

The spokesman told a questioner that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would visit Russia to attend important summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The short visit of the Prime Minister would provide him an importunity to meet leaders of various countries there.●