Zardari rules out any unilateral withdrawal from Siachen

Lahore, Apr 21: President Asif Ali Zardari has ruled out any unilateral withdrawal of Pakistani soldiers from Siachen, saying troops could be called back from the Himalayan glacier only if India agrees to do the same.

"The withdrawal of Pakistani troops is possible provided India also agrees. It will not be a unilateral decision," he said while addressing a convention of workers of his Pakistan People's Party in Okara district, 100 km from Lahore, yesterday.

Speaking almost a fortnight after an avalanche slammed into a high-altitude Pakistan Army camp in Siachen sector and buried 138 people, Zardari said he was worried by the problems of Pakistani soldiers and India too would be concerned for its troops on Siachen.

"There is no doubt that Siachen is the most difficult battlefield in the world... We are aware of the extreme climate and other difficulties at one of the world's most difficult terrains, but the withdrawal can only take place if the two governments decide to pull out from the area jointly," he said.

"Pakistan wants to solve its issues with India through talks," Zardari said.

Islamabad is willing to hold a dialogue with New Delhi on all subjects, he added.

The President, who is the supreme commander of Pakistan's armed forces, offered prayers for the soldiers buried by the avalanche that hit the battalion headquarters at Gyari on April 7.

PTI