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Pakistan envoy says talks suspended with India, govt contradicts

by IBNS 07 Apr 2016, 07:27 pm

Islamabad, Apr 8 (IBNS): Pakistan government has contradicted its High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit's remarks on the issue of talks between India and Pakistan and said both countries are in contact with each other and it has been reiterated from both sides that modalities are being worked out

"Your question implies whether the Foreign Secretary level talks will take place or not. I have stated this many times that both countries are in contact with each other and it has been reiterated from both sides that modalities are being worked out. I will again state that negotiations are the best means to resolve the issues," Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told media.

In a significant development, Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit on Thursday said peace process between neighbouring nations India and Pakistan has been "suspended".

"There is no meeting scheduled for now," Basit was quoted as saying by media.

"I think at present the peace process is suspended," he said.

Speaking on possible Indian investigation team's visit to Pakistan to probe the Pathankot attack, Basit said: "The visit of the Pakistani probe team to Pathankot is not about reciprocity."

Six  terrorists had attacked the air base  in India's Pathankot area on Jan 2. Security forces were engaged in 80 hours gun-battle with the militants.

India has blamed Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack.

As a part of the investigation, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) from Pakistan had visited Pathankot on Mar 27. The team included on  Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officer.