Polls in India not to affect peace process: Jamali
Press Trust of India
Posted online: Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 1421 hours IST
Islamabad, January 22: India has assured Pakistan that the coming general elections in the country would not affect the composite dialogue process, which the two neighbours have agreed to hold next month.
The peace process would continue as External Affairs Yashwant Sinha has assured Pakistani leadership that the change of government after the general elections in India would not affect the dialogue process, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said in Kalat in Baluchistan province on Wednesday.
Jamali said, "I think initially dialogues would be held on secretaries' level." Pakistan Foreign office Spokesman Masood Khan later clarified that the level of talks to be held next month has not yet been decided.
"The level, date and agenda are still being worked out," khan said in Islamabad.
Asked about construction of a fence at the Line of Control (LoC) by India, Jamali said Pakistan had formally informed the United Nations about its concern on the issue.
He said that he also took up the issue during his meetings with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpaee and Sinha during the SAARC summit in Islamabad earlier this month.
India should not take the benefit of the cease-fire, and must stop this process, he said.
Mean while, Pakistan denied media reports that India has objected to some of statements made by Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad reiterating Pakistan stand on Kashmir issue. There is no truth in such reports, Khan said.
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