Anti-terror mechanism to be set up after for sec level talks: repo

Islamabad, Oct 6 (UNI) India and Pakistan will formally set up a ''joint anti-terrorism mechanism'' when the two foreign secretaries meet next month, local media said today.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, during their Havana meeting on September 16, directed their foreign secretaries to meet at the earliest possible to set up a joint anti-terror mechanism.

The Nation quoted an official source as saying here that both the countries are engaged in consultations through diplomatic channels on the proposed joint mechanism against terror, which the two leaders had agreed to put in place during the Havana meeting.

The source added it was expected that the mechanism would be announced after the foreign secretary level talks.

He said the mandate and other aspects of the proposed mechanism were being worked out but broadly it had been decided that the apparatus would involve the foreign and interior ministries and its basic function would be intelligence sharing deemed fit by the two sides.

Pakistan would not hand over any person sought by India on terrorism charges, the official added.

He said other matters would also be discussed as part of talks on terrorism and Pakistan would take up the issue of Baluchistan where ''subversive'' acts continue to take place.

UNI XC PA RN1714