Composite Dialogue: talks begin on March 28

After a deadlock for around two and half years, Pakistan and India will finally come on dialogue table on March 28 to resume composite dialogue. The interior secretaries-level talks will be held in New Delhi on a host of issues including terrorism, visa policy, release of prisoners and other humanitarian issues and anti narcotics measures and co-operation between the two countries in this regard.
The progress in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack would also come under discussion, an official source said adding that modalities and timeframe for the judicial commission of Pakistan to visit Delhi to verify statement of Ajmal Kasab, main accused in Mumbai attack would also be finalised on the occasion. Islamabad would also ask their Indian counterparts to share progress on Samjhota Express incident and Ajmer Sharif blast terrorist incidents, which occurred in India, he added.
The last visa agreement between the two countries was signed in 1974 and needs to be reviewed. Islamabad proposed group tourist visas, 90-day visa for businessmen and visa on arrival to 65 year old and above, however, Indian authorities have not made any progress on the recommendations so far, he said.
He further informed that release of civil prisoners and fishermen would be part of the parleys. Meeting of Chief of Anti Narcotics Forces (ANF-Pakistan) and his Indian counterpart would also be arranged to finalise measures to curb the menace of narcotics and drug smuggling.
He said that Secretary Interior Qamar Zaman Chaudhry is a mature, well-educated and seasoned bureaucrat and well known for his positive behaviour. He hoped that under his leadership talks between the two countries would lead to further engagements and positive results. He informed that Director General Federal Investigation Agency, representatives of Ministry of Narcotics Control and Ministry of Foreign Affairs would part of Interior Secretaries level talks.
The talks would be followed by another parleys between the commerce and trade secretaries of both the countries in Islamabad next month while the foreign secretaries and foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in July in New Delhi, he concluded.