Pak Government is one, system not driven by one entity: Bashir

Islamabad, June 24 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Thursday rejected suggestions that the federal government and civil society’s agenda to bridge the trust deficit with India is driven by the military and intelligence agencies.

Responding to pointed question posed by ANI, Bashir said: “Today, the Government is One, and by the government, it does not only mean the president, the prime minister, the parliament… it means the whole system.”

“So, working out our positions and working out the agenda for moving our relations forward on all stages, all the forces - in the parliament, the (civilian and military) leaderships - we are all speaking from the same page,” Bashir added.

Bashir, who was addressing the media here, said both sides had agreed that there should be frequent and regular contacts between the two sides.

‘It was also agreed that Pakistan and India should work towards restoring confidence and building trust; to have a comprehensive, sustained and substantial dialogue,” Bashir said.

“We believe that we have been able to accomplish this mandate in the most efficient manner. The talks have been marked by a great deal of cordiality, sincerity and earnestness. The dialogue has been very constructive,” Bashir added while speaking at a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao. By Smita Prakash (ANI)