Pak says won’t invite J&K Speaker

ISLAMABAD, Aug 8:
Ignoring India’s objection, Pakistan today said it would not invite the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to the upcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, to be held in Islamabad from September 30 to October 8.
Talking at a book launch ceremony here, Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Islamabad’s principled position on Jammu and Kashmir would be compromised, if the Speaker of Kashmir’s legislature was invited to the conference because his country does not recognise and accept that Assembly.
Mr Aziz said the conference would go ahead as scheduled, with over 70 per cent of the delegates having confirmed their participation. Talking about bilateral talks with India, he said Pakistan had not as yet responded to New Delhi on its proposal for a meeting of the National Security Advisors on August 23.
”Pakistan is preparing its agenda for the meeting and consultations for that are under way… after finalisation of the agenda, it would be shared with India.” Mr Aziz said it was regrettable that Pakistan was blamed for all terrorist attacks in India, even before investigations are conducted. ”This will be taken up at the NSAs’ meeting,” he added. (UNI)