No back-channel diplomacy presently taking place between Pakistan & India: Upper House told

ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (SABAH): The Senate was informed in categorical terms on Thursday that no back-channel diplomacy was presently taking place between Pakistan and India.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar told the House during the question hour that hostility coming from the neighbouring country was of unique nature.

She maintained that relations between the two nations were marred by a number of provocative steps by India. Khar added that the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi being banned by India vindicated Pakistan’s viewpoint on the Gujarat massacre.

The minister said Islamabad was keen that its eastern and western borders remain peaceful and wanted to continue to be on a journey of peace. She stated that despite New Delhi’s negative attitude, Islamabad would continue on the path of peace, and the tension between the two on the Line of Control had decreased.

She continued that minorities in Pakistan enjoyed full religious protection but in India, they were being treated badly. Khar described the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor as a positive precedent, stating that such processes must move forward.

The minister’s remarks come days after, India invited Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to attend meetings of a key regional forum that also includes Russia and China.

The meeting of chief justices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is scheduled for March while the foreign ministers will meet in May in Goa.

However, Pakistan is in no hurry to respond to the Indian invitation to attend the key regional forum’s meeting in May, as officials have termed New Delhi’s invite routine practice.

Official sources confirmed on Wednesday of receiving the Indian invitation but said it was too early to say anything at this stage. “It is a routine matter. India being the current President of the SCO has invited member states including Pakistan,” said an official, downplaying the significance of the invitation.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha said the government has a plan to improve the ongoing economic situation. She added that the government was determined to protect the poor segments of society.

Pasha said the government inherited a difficult economic situation and devastating floods and international factors negatively impacted the regime. She added that all the political parties should stand united while rising above political interest to steer the country out of the current quagmire.