Pakistan Says No Foreign Secretary Level Talks With India Tomorrow; Does Not Confirm Jaiish Chief’s Arrest

14 January, New Delhi

Pakistan Thursday today said that there would be no Foreign Secretary-level talks tomorrow between India and Pakistan. Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said in Islamabad that Mutual consultations are on about rescheduling the talks.

The Pakistan government official also did not confirm arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar, saying he is not aware of any such arrest.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a two-hour long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday. External Affairs Ministry officials said after the meeting of Modi and Ms. Swaraj, it was decided to wait for the return of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval from Paris today for a call to be taken.

Earlier, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said that a decision on whether to go ahead with the talks would be taken after the meeting between Modi and Ms. Swaraj. India had demanded action linking it to the fate of Foreign Secretary-level talks.

However, New Delhi has said it has not received any confirmation of the detention of Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Maulana Masood Azhar despite widespread reports of his having been apprehended in connection with the Pathankot attack.