ISLAMABAD: 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.
Interior Secretaries level talks will be held in New Delhi on a host of issues including terrorism, narcotics and drug control measures, visa and other issues of mutual interest.
The progress in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack would also come under discussion, official source said adding that modalities and time frame for the judicial commission of Pakistan to visit Delhi to verify the statement of Ajmal Kasab, the main accused of Mumbai attack would also be finalized.
Islamabad would also ask their Indian counterparts to share progress on Samjhota Express incident and Ajmair Sharif blast terrorist incidents which occurred in India, the source said.
The focus of the talks would be terrorism, visa policy between two countries, release of prisoners and other humanitarian issues and anti narcotics measures and cooperation between the two countries in this regard, the official said.
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 the Indian authorities did not make any progress on the three 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 finalize measures to curb the menace of narcotics and drug smuggling.
"Pakistan believes that dialogue is the only way forward. Positive and goodwill will be carried forward. We are going with a open heart and mind without having any reservations. We have been sharing good sentiments and wish reciprocal response," he remarked.
The official 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 the talks between the two countries would lead to further engagements and positive results. Director General Federal Investigation Agency, representatives of Ministry of Narcotics Control and Ministry of Foreign Affairs would part of Interior Secretaries level talks, he added.
The talks would be followed by another parleys between commerce and trade secretaries of both countries in Islamabad next month while the foreign secretaries and foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in July in New Delhi, he informed.