ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Friday said it desires mutually beneficial and harmonious cooperative relationship with India.
"We are committed to a serious, sustained and constructive engagement with India and early and full normalization of relations on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and non-interference," said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly press briefing.
He said considerable progress has been made in building mutual confidence through the Composite Dialogue process and it is Pakistan's desire that this process should be carried forward and made result oriented for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
Replying to a question, the spokesman said, he had no knowledge about the progress on back channel diplomacy on Pak-India relations as the Foreign Office always involved in front channel diplomacy.
"Pakistan is committed to expanding bilateral trade with India and we are also ready for liberalization of visa regime," he added.
The spokesman said Pakistan supports the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their destiny.
"We are committed to promoting intra-Kashmir interactions including cross-LoC trade," he said.
The spokesman said Pakistan would also like to make early progress in resolving Sir Creek and Siachen disputes.
He said Pakistan has made a number of suggestions to address mutual concerns on security and counter terrorism which include making the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism more effective to discuss cooperation in counter terrorism and regular contact between DGs MO to ensure respect for the ceasefire.
The National Security Advisors of the two countries will also meet shortly, he added.
While commenting on the reports that India is violating the Indus Basin Water Treaty by curtailing the flow of water in Chenab River the spokesman said, "We are seriously concerned over significant reduction in flow of water in Chenab River."
He said it has caused extensive damage to Pakistan's agriculture and the Indian action is a clear violation of Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan was prompt to take cognizance of the issue both at the Indus Water Commission level and diplomatic level.
He said the reduction in flow was protested by Pakistan Commissioner with his Indian counterpart through various letters and telephone calls.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also conveyed Pakistan's concern to the Indian government through a note verbal on September 5 with the request to restore full supply to Pakistan.
The spokesman said the matter was also raised by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan with the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad on September 4 and by the Pakistan High Commissioner with the Indian Foreign Secretary in New Delhi on September 12.
He said the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was called in on September 13 to convey Pakistan's concerns and request the Government of India for immediate remedial action.
The spokesman said in response to Pakistan's demarches, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Water Commission has invited Indus Water Commissioner to inspect the Baglihar Dam. The visit is expected to take place from October 18.
"We were assured that Indian government will take steps necessary to rectify the situation. Our efforts, however, will continue and intensify till the issue is resolved," he added.
Replying to a question about civilian trekking expedition to Siachen by India, the spokesman said Siachen glacier, occupied by India in 1984 in violation of the bilateral agreements, is on the agenda of the Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India.
He sid its final status is yet to be determined, as agreed upon by the parties.
Pakistan has taken up the matter with India expressing concern over the weeklong trekking expedition, he added.
The spokesman said Pakistan had also conveyed its objection to the organizing of a similar trekking expedition last year.
He said Pakistan also called upon the Indian side to desist from acts that cast shadow on the peace process between Pakistan and India.
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