Pak firm on discussing 'all issues of concern'

Terming the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 25, as an 'exploratory' meeting, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said Islamabad wants a meaningful dialogue.

Interacting with media persons after addressing the Institute of International Studies in Beijing, Qureshi said all issues confronting both countries must come up for discussions during the upcoming talks.

"After 14 months, they have re-engaged with us and have invited us for a dialogue. Pakistan wants a dialogue with India, but we want a meaningful dialogue. We want that all issues of concern to both sides should be brought on the table so that the dialogue is serious and meaningful," The News quoted Qureshi as saying.

Qureshi also claimed that India, through a joint communique, had agreed that acts of terrorism would not impede the process of dialogue between both nations.

Qureshi said the ball is now in India's court, and the outcome of the talks will largely depend on its approach.

"We have to see what comes out of the meeting on February 25. Pakistan is showing a constructive approach and if India also exhibits the same spirit, obviously there will be  progress," Qureshi said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan minister Malik Amad Khan declared that Islamabad has made it clear to India that all outstanding issues, including the water row and Kashmir, will be taken up at the bilateral talks.

Amad said Pakistan's interests will be protected if India demands the extradition of Jammat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks, or any other citizen during the talks.