Zardari to discuss all issues with Singh

Pakistan on Thursday said it is looking forward for meaningful engagements with India to promote peace and security in the region. "President Asif Ali Zardari, during his forthcoming visit to India on Sunday will discuss all the issues with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to promote intra-regional peace and prosperity in this part of the world," said Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit in his weekly press briefing here at Foreign Office on Thursday. The spokesman said, "We are looking forward for constructive engagement between the two leaders in New Delhi." He said the two leaders will discuss all the issues which continue to take priority in bilateral relations. He said the meeting between President Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will provide an opportunity to contribute Pakistan's vision of intra-regional cooperation to ensure peace and security in the region. He said the engagements between the Pakistan and India are necessary for building trust but clarified that Pakistan will not compromise on the outstanding issues including the Jammu and Kashmir. He said, "there is no question of changing our position on Jammu and Kashmir" adding that fair and just settlement of the core issue is imperative for lasting peace in the region. Replying to a question about reports of new missile test by India, the spokesman said Pakistan will maintain its credible defence. Expressing concerns on the violation of human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir, the spokesman expressed the satisfaction that the international community is also increasingly focusing on the grave and serious human rights violation in the occupied territory. He said there are no two views to revoke the draconian armed forces power acts and other such laws which have added to the miseries of the Kashmiri people. He said the people of Kashmir are struggling for their self-determination and no amount of repression could suppress this indigenous movement. Replying to a question about US bounty announced the arrest of Hafiz Saeed and Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, the foreign office spokesman said Pakistan has adopted a legal and principled position on the issue that it cannot proceed against them without any concrete evidence. The spokesman said, "Pakistan will not accept any pressure on this issue." He said both Pakistan and United States are democratic countries and such issues should be advanced through a legal procedure. He however said Pakistan has clarified its position on it and asked the American government to provide concrete evidence to proceed legally. "Pakistan would prefer to receive concrete evidence to proceed legally rather than to be engaging in a public discussion on this issue," spokesman said. The spokesman rejected the notion that Pakistan is facing US pressure on the restoration of Nato's supply line. He said the parliamentary process for new terms of engagements with the United States and NATO is still underway adding "we will proceed further on all the matters in accordance with the parliamentary guidelines. He said, "I don't see any pressure from America on Pakistan on the issue of discussion on foreign policy in the Parliament." He said when the Parliament will complete its work both the countries will have more cooperation in the war against terror. The spokesman said both Pakistan and US have shared objective of eliminating scourge of terrorism and extremism and both have been working together on it. On the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and foreign financial assistance, the spokesman said Pakistan has been discussing bilateral cooperation in energy sector with Russia. A technical delegation from Pakistan also visited Russia in this regard, he added.