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Pakistan ready to discuss
Jilani's replacement

February 10, 2003 21:00 IST

Pakistan on Monday said it hoped to start consultations with India soon to workout modalities to name replacements for the expelled acting high commissioners of the two countries.

This was stated by foreign office spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan in Islamabad shortly after the departure of Indian Charge d'affaires Sudhir Vyas and four more diplomats expelled by Islamabad in a tit-for-tat for New Delhi's expulsion of Pakistan's acting high commissioner in Delhi, Jaleel Abbas Jilani.

Khan said Pakistan had no plans to reduce the number of its personnel in its high commission in New Delhi.

"We do not want any reduction in the staff strength. It is not Pakistan that is setting the pace," he said adding that Vyas  recently held talks with Pakistan foreign office about clearing visas at the level of deputy high commissioners and hoped that the issue would be settled amicably.

The foreign office spokeman maintained that Pakistan has taken measures to stop infiltration of militants across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

K J M Varma in Pakistan