Vibes for resumption of composite dialogue not encouraging: Gilani

Pakistan wants resumption of the stalled composite dialogue with India but "the vibes emanating from the other side have not been encouraging," prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said today.

Gilani made the remarks while discussing the state of Indo-Pak relations and the forthcoming foreign secretary-level talks with visiting US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke.

Pakistan is committed to peace in the region and the government is "making sincere efforts for resumption of the composite dialogue process with India," Gilani said.

However, he "regretted that the vibes emanating from the other side have not been encouraging."

Relations between India and Pakistan "should not become hostage to the activities of terrorists," who are the common enemy, Gilani was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.

He said both countries "must address core issues, including Kashmir and water disputes," for lasting peace in the region.

Gilani and Holbrooke also held wide-ranging discussions on various issues, including the major offensive against the Taliban launched by the US-led forces in Afghanistan and proposed US-Pakistan strategic dialogue.
 
The premier hoped that the strategic dialogue would be "scheduled expeditiously to discuss agreed components during the first half of 2010" as had been agreed during US secretary of state Hillary Clinton's visit to the country last year.

Gilani "underlined the imperative of the strategic dialogue for building trust to remove misperceptions or misgivings prevalent on both sides."

On being briefed by Holbrooke and his team on 'Operation Mushtarik', the new campaign launched by the US in Afghanistan, Gilani expressed concerns about the "spill-over of refugees and militants" from Afghanistan's Helmand region into Balochistan and North West Frontier Province in Pakistan.

He hoped these concerns will be kept in mind by US and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and there would be enhanced coordination and cooperation with Pakistani armed forces in this regard.

Referring to Pakistan's burgeoning energy needs, Gilani called for fast-tracking of dialogue in this sector to mitigate the power shortage in the country.

He hoped that projects identified in the US strategy for regional stabilisation would be implemented on a priority basis.

Gilani also expressed concern about delay in disbursement of money from the Coalition Support Fund and in the release of
aid to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar Act, saying this was adversely affecting the economy.

Holbrooke, who arrived in Islamabad after visiting Kabul, briefed Gilani on the political situation in Afghanistan and the operation against militants in Helmand province.