Pak not to tone down aggressive posture at Wagah

Jalandhar, Feb 17: Calling it a tradition, Pakistan today refused to reciprocate the Indian gesture of toning down the aggressive postures during the daily Retreat Ceremony at the Wagah joint checkpost.

The Border Security Force jawans had earlier toned down their aggressive postures at the impressive ceremony held daily at sun set on the joint border post, which is also a tourist distinaion.

''Daily retreat is not hostility but a tradition to pay utmost respect to the flag and it will continue,'' Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Director General Maj Gen Javed Zia told mediapersons here today after the bi-annual meeting between Pakistan Rangers and Border Security Force (BSF) concluded.

During the four-day deliberations, both BSF and Pakistan Rangers resolved to build mutual trust and understanding to dispassionately analyse different cross-border problems and to evolve workable solutions for ensuring peace and tranquility along the India-Pakistan border.

Both the border guarding forces are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining peace on their side of the boundary and ensuring safety and security of respective border populations.

Both sides took stock of the prevailing situation on the border and deliberated upon various issues afflicting the India and Pakistan border at length to evolve mutually agreeable procedures for effective and smooth management of the international border.

Discussions were also held on the issue of illegal border crossings and other border-related matters and both the sides agreed to exercise control by initiating positive steps.

Mr Zia said, ''Both the forces are making increasing efforts to reduce complications for the release of prisoners languishing in each others' jails.'' On the issue of prisoners of war (PoWs), Mr Zia said that if any PoW was lodged in any Pakistani jail, he would be released after verification.

Both sides resolved to extend full cooperation and facilitate sorting the issues concerning inadvertent border crossing from either side by verifying credentials at the field commander-level amicably and promptly so that civil population on both sides felt safe and secure.

The issue of fishermen from both India and Pakistan crossing the territorial waters was also discussed and it was decided to share information for identification of such persons and also to educate them how to avoid crossing the international border, Mr Zia said. On the issue of illegal trafficking of narcotics, Mr Zia said, ''We have identified certain measures to curb illegal trafficking of narcotics,'' he said expressing hope that smuggling would end gradually.

The Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiated vigorously by both the countries had helped in maitanining normalcy at the border and providing quick solutions to local problems, Maj Gen Zia said adding that both sides had earlier benefitted from such bi-annual sessions, which were also part of CBMs.

The issue of repair of damaged border pillars and reconstruction of missing boundary pillars was discussed between the surveyors and the PWD officials of both the countries. They also took stock of the progress made following the last bi-annual meeting held at Lahore.

BSF Special DG, NPS Aulakh informed that Maj Gen Zia had assured the Indian delegation to personally look into Chandra Bai's case for her early release.

Mr Aulakh thanked Pakistan delegation for their excellent spirit of cooperation and understanding during discussions.

Maj Gen Zia also appreciated the ''warm hospitality extended to the delegation'' and making their visit ''purposeful and successful''.

The delegation which earlier visited the Indian capital city of New Delhi and also went to see the worldfamous Taj Mahal at Agra, paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar before leaving for Pakistan.

The Pakistan delegation, led by Maj Gen Javed Zia, comprised senior official from Pakistan Rangers, Anti-Narcotic Force, Survey of Pakistan and PWD, whereas Indian delegation headed by BSF Special Director General (West) NPS Aulakh, also included senior official from the BSF and representatives of Survey of India, Narcotics Control Bureau and PWD.

UNI