Pakistan open to comprehensive talks with India: FM Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that Pakistan is prepared to engage in comprehensive dialogue with India, including discussions on the Kashmir issue.

Speaking with senior journalists in the Parliament, Dar confirmed that a ceasefire is currently in place between Pakistan and India. He said the ceasefire was initiated after a request from India was conveyed to the United States.

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“I received a call from the US for a ceasefire,” Dar said. “I had made it clear that Pakistan did not want a war.” Dar also said that Pakistan had not sought to initiate talks with India. “We had not asked anyone to sit with India. We were asked to sit at a neutral location,” he added.

FM Dar said that Pakistan had agreed to talks only if they were held at a neutral venue. He rejected the idea of single-issue talks, stating that Pakistan would engage only in discussions covering all unresolved matters. “I had made it clear that there will be no discussion on a single-point agenda with India. We will discuss all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue,” he added.

Commenting on regional diplomacy, Dar noted that a visit by the US Secretary of State to Pakistan is not yet scheduled. He also shared details of his upcoming two-day trip to Bangladesh, saying the purpose is to improve relations between the two countries.

Dar also remarked on India’s public statements, saying, “India’s rhetoric continues unnecessarily.”

VISA FREE ENTRY APPROVED FOR PAK-BAN TRAVEL

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have approved visa-free travel for diplomatic and government passport holders of both countries.

Also read: Pakistan ready for talks with India: Ishaq Dar

Under the new agreement, diplomatic officials and government officers from Bangladesh can visit Pakistan without obtaining a visa. Similarly, Pakistani officials and diplomats can travel to Bangladesh visa-free.

The visa-free entry agreement between the two countries will remain in effect for five years.