Indo-Pak discuss agenda for Joint Anti-terror Mechanism

Islamabad, Mar 2 (UNI) With India agreeing to share with Pakistan the findings of probe into Samjhauta Express tragedy, the two countries are engaged in hectic consultations to finalise the agenda for the meeting of forthcoming Joint Anti-terror Mechanism scheduled for March 6-7.

''The two countries have broadly agreed on the agenda and currently they are finalising it through diplomatic channels,'' The Nation newspaper here quoted an official as saying.

Mr K C Singh, Additional Secretary, External Affairs will lead the Indian delegation while his counterpart Tariq Osman Hyder, will lead the Pakistan side in the anti-terror mechanism meeting.

The two sides would discuss all terrorism-related issues during the talks with focus on the Samjhauta Express tragedy in which dozens of Pakistanis were killed and injured, the official said.

He further said that India had showed its readiness to share the information of the terrorist attack on the train that was a symbol of peace and friendship between the neighbouring states.

The readiness on part of the Indians came in response to the Pakistan's demand of sharing the information on the train tragedy, he added.

The official said the purpose of the joint mechanism was to prevent terror acts in the two countries and assist each other in this regard through information sharing.

''The two countries are already discussing counter-terrorism as part of the composite dialogue process but this new mechanism is meant for quick information sharing,'' he said.

''This is going to be the first meeting of the mechanism so it is very important that the two sides approach it with a constructive mind,'' the official added.

UNI