Khar says no back-channel diplomacy with India

ISLAMABAD:THE senate was informed in categorical terms on Thursday that no back-channel diplomacy was presently taking place between Pakistan and India.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar told the House during the question hour that hostility coming from the neighbouring country was of unique nature.

She maintained that relations between the two nations were marred by a number of provocative steps by India.

She stated that despite New Delhi’s negative atitude, Islamabad would continue on the path of peace, and the tension between the two on the Line of Control had decreased.

She continued that minorities in Pakistan enjoyed full religious protection but in India, they were being treated badly, Indo-asian News Service reported, quoting Express Tribune.

Khar described the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor as a positive precedent, stating that such processes must move forward.

The minister’s remarks come days ater, India invited Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhuto Zardari to atend meetings of a key regional forum that also includes Russia and China.

The meeting of chief justices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is scheduled for March while the foreign ministers will meet in May in Goa.

However, Pakistan is in no hurry to respond to the Indian invitation to attend the key regional forum’s meeting in May, as officials have termed New Delhi’s invite “routine practice.”

Official sources confirmed on Wednesday of receiving the Indian invitation but said it was too early to say anything at this stage.

“It is a routine mater. India being the current President of the SCO has invited member states. including Pakistan,” said an official.

The minister said that Director Generals of Military Operation of both sides reached an agreement of ceasefire adding that before entering into this understanding, the two countries had a ceasefire understanding in 2003.