Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that India and Pakistan have agreed to continue negotiation process. Both the countries should advance forward by learning lesson from the past experiences.
Addressing a joint Press Conference with Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna after completion of round of talks at the Foreign Ministry here on Saturday, she said that Indian prime minister has not laid down any condition for visiting Pakistan, so he is ready to come unconditionally.
His visit would bring Pakistan and India further near to each other so that both countries may understand the problems of each others.
She said that yesterday is the past and what is done in the past is history but both sides should not become hostage by the past and move forward with open hearts.
She told the journalists that both ministers, during talks, reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the holding of meetings on the issues of Counter-Terrorism and Narcotics Control, Humanitarian issues, Commercial & Economic cooperation, Wullar Barrage , Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek, Siachen, Peace & Security including CBMs, Jammu & Kashmir and promotion of Friendly Exchanges.
Both sides held substantive discussions on the wide range of issues and expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved since their last review meeting in July 2011.
She said the ministers agreed that terrorism posed a continuing threat to peace and security. They reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries to fight terrorism in an effective and comprehensive manner so as to eliminate the scourge in all its forms and manifestations.
She said that both sides welcomed the release of prisoners and fishermen, including those suffering from ailments, in the past year or so. They agreed that the Agreement on Consular Access should be implemented in letter and spirit including immediate notification of arrests by either side, consular access to all persons within three months of arrests, release of prisoners within one month of completion of sentence and confirmation of their national status.
She said the meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did help improve bilateral relations which saw activation of Pak-India joint commission.
“Discussions were also held on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences” she added.
Hina said that it was agreed that the joint working group on Cross-LoC CBMs will meet on a bi-annual basis to review existing arrangements and suggest additional CBMs and measures for Cross-LoC travel and trade.
On the occasion, Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said that the Indian PM would visit Pakistan at an appropriate time and that India was keen to build a relationship of trust between the two countries, which would be beneficial for both sides.
He said the resumption of talks was encouraging which had been cordial, frank, and positive so far.
He was of the view that terrorism was a threat to both the countries and it had to be dealt with iron hands.
Forget past, let us move forward
