Premium
This is an archive article published on July 1, 2003

In one step forward, Pak envoy steps in

Crossing the Wagah border this morning, Pakistan High Commissioner designate, Aziz Ahmed Khan, today took the first step towards resumption ...

.

Crossing the Wagah border this morning, Pakistan High Commissioner designate, Aziz Ahmed Khan, today took the first step towards resumption of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Aware that his arrival was symbolic of the thaw in the Indo-Pak chill—set off by Prime Minister A B Vajpayee’s peace offer—Khan struck a positive note: ‘‘Pakistan is ready to hold peace talks at any time, place and level.’’

Arriving in New Delhi this evening, he said that Islamabad was ready for Foreign Secretary-level talks on the sidelines of the upcoming SAARC summit provided India agreed.

Story continues below this ad

Both sides had withdrawn their envoys and downsized their mission following the December 13 attack on Parliament two years ago. It was on May 2 this year that Vajpayee announced India’s decision to appoint a High Commissioner to Pakistan and restore snapped civil-aviation links. His gesture was soon reciprocated by Islamabad.

Khan, a seasoned diplomat, was unruffled as he was mobbed by a strong media contingent waiting for him. Denying charges of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism—he said Pak had nothing to do with Saturday’s suicide squad attack on an Army camp in Jammu—Khan suggested deployment of UN observers at the border.

Saying that air and road links between India and Pakistan would soon be back on track, Khan said that economic and diplomatic links could go a long way in sweetening the sour bilateral relationship and paving the way for the resolution of contentious issues like Kashmir.

The air link, he said, would be resumed soon after the Lahore bus service. ‘‘We will first remove the technical hitches by holding talks with the civil aviation authorities in which Foreign Secretaries will also take part.’’

Story continues below this ad

Khan isn’t new to India. He was Deputy High Commissioner to New Delhi before being appointed ambassador to China. ‘‘I have even worked as the director general of the South Asian desk in Pakistan,’’ he smiled, referring to the friendship he had with bureaucrats, politicians and other opinion-makers in India.

Khan was accompanied by his wife Ayesha Khan, First Secretary Dr Aman Rashid, an official, Zulfeqar Khan Awam and driver Sabir Hussain Awam in addition to his helpers, Sher Ali, Kurban Pannah and Afraz.

Khan and his wife were received by R K Kaushik, Additional Secretary to Government of Punjab, (Political and Protocol) besides Hemant Purohit, DIG (BSF) and Kultar Singh, SSP, Amritsar around 10.43 am.

Nine hours later outside the Pakistan House, the official residence of the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi, Khan and his wife Ayesha had to negotiate past the media mob again. He said Islamabad was prepared its Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokar hold talks with his Indian counterpart Kanwal Sibal on the margins of the SAARC meeting of Foreign Secretaries at Kathmandu on July 7.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘We have no hesitation in them meeting, but your side will have to first agree. We are ready to talk with India on Kashmir and all other outstanding issues any place, anytime.’’

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement