Pak says no to discussing ISI issues at FS talks

Islamabad, Jun 17: Pakistan was dismissive of India's attempts to raise fresh evidence of ISI's links to the 26/11 attacks at the upcoming Foreign Secretary-level talks, stating clearly that the agenda would be limited to three issues -- Kashmir, peace and security and friendly exchanges.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told a weekly news briefing that Islamabad was in communication with New Delhi to firm up dates for Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's visit to Pakistan later this month for talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir.

Asked if Pakistan would be open to discussing fresh evidence on the Mumbai attacks during the Foreign Secretary-level talks, Janjua said the agenda for the upcoming meeting "is very clearly the three (issues) that have been indicated" peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and friendly exchanges.

Counter-terrorism issues have already been discussed during a meeting of the Interior and Home Secretaries held earlier this year, she said.

"Whatever India provides us as fresh evidence or as information is sent to the Interior Ministry, which examines it based on ground realities," she said.

Responding to an Indian move to focus on fresh evidence linking the ISI to the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan's Foreign Office yesterday said it was imperative to address the "core issue" of Kashmir in the upcoming dialogue.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Monday that the nexus between the ISI and the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks, highlighted during Tahawwur Rana's recent trial in Chicago, will be taken up during the forthcoming talks.

PTI