All issues of concern to Pakistan to be discussed with India: Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will discuss "all issues of concern" with India during the comprehensive dialogue, agenda for which will be set when foreign secretaries of the two countries meet here this month, the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan and India were engaged through diplomatic channels to fix the exact date for a comprehensive bilateral dialogue when their foreign secretaries would meet to help resolve "outstanding disputes peacefully and enhancing bilateral cooperation", Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said yesterday in response to a question.

His statement came just a day after Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the Senate that the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet here on January 14-15 to prepare a schedule of meeting for the comprehensive dialogue but cautioned against "unrealistic expectations" from the talks.

Khalilullah said: "The first meeting of foreign secretaries in this context will be held in mid-January 2016 to work out modalities and schedule of meetings of various segments under the dialogue in accordance with the Joint Statement of 09 December 2015.

"You know that the Indian prime minister also visited Pakistan a few days ago. Both were very positive steps. The dialogue process would be helpful in resolving outstanding disputes peacefully and enhancing bilateral cooperation."

To another query, the spokesman said the new construction being made by India on the Line of Control would be amongst "all issues of concern to Pakistan will be discussed as part of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue, which includes a segment on peace and security", according to a report published in The News today.