Pakistani High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan, while presenting his credentials to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today proposed that the staff levels at the High Commissions revert back to earlier levels.Staff levels at missions in India and Pakistan had been cut down following the December 13 attack on Parliament leading to a breakdown in bilateral relations. While reiterating the need for a step-by-step approach to normalise relations, Aziz had little to offer on New Delhi’s demand for overflight facility as precursor to Pakistan’s demand to restore air links. Aziz termed the issues as ‘‘separate’’ and stated that they ‘‘should not be linked.’’ Observing that airlines of both countries had suffered huge financial losses following snapping of air links, he said such guarantees ‘‘will ensure that a similar situation does not arise in future.’’ Khan reiterated that Pakistan was ‘‘prepared to hold talks at any place, any level and at anytime.’’ Khan also expressed his satisfaction at the finalisation of dates for the deferred SAARC summit.
