In a departure from its stated position, Pakistan on Monday asserted there was no need for third party mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue with India as talks between the two countries on it were on.
Describing as 'modest' the progress in the talks between with India at the just-concluded Foreign Secretary-level talks in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar told state-owned PTV that Pakistan is not asking for any third party mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue.
"Pakistan is not asking any mediation. It is not necessary," he said in a brief interview at Jakarta on the sidelines of the Asian Regional Forum (ARF) meeting.
On talks with his Indian counterpart Shashank on June 27 and 28 in New Delhi, Khokhar said the two sides made "modest progress" and decided to continue the dialogue to resolve Kashmir and other issues.
Khokhar's assertions that the mediation was not necessary was a departure of sorts from the previously held position of Pakistan which wanted a third part mediation of US, UN or EU countries.
Pakistan was admitted into ARF following India's withdrawal of objections in return for an assurance by Pakistan not to raise the Kashmir issue in the forum.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, who has retained his portfolio in the new government headed by Shujaat Hussain, rushed to Jakarta this evening after taking oath of office.
