No Indo-Pak reciprocal army chiefs visit: Pakistan

Islamabad, May 15: Pakistan has rejected an Indian proposal for reciprocal visits by the vice army chiefs of the two countries, suggesting New Delhi should first play its due role in the resolution of ''outstanding'' issues between the two countries.

Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Menon, speaking at the English-speaking Union in Lahore on Saturday, suggested that the two vice chiefs of army staff should undertake reciprocal visits, saying that such engagements between the armies of the two countries could promote understanding.

However, The News quoted chief military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan as saying that Pakistan had taken a number of confidence-building measures to create a congenial environment for the resolution of Indo-Pak issues, including Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and the Baglihar dam.

''But unfortunately progress on the other side is lacking. The best way to promote understanding is resolution of the disputes that can help create confidence and amity,'' he added.

''Once the disputes are resolved, everything would follow smoothly,'' he said, in response to a question about a proposal for similar visits by officials of the national defence colleges of the two countries.

UNI