M A I N   N E W S

India submits list of staffers

Islamabad, December 29
India today provided a list of 54 officials of its High Commission here to Pakistan who would leave for home on january 5 as part of New Delhi’s decision to pull out 50 per cent of its staff.

India’s Deputy High Commissioner Sudhir Vyas met Pakistan foreign officials here and handed over the list, officials of Indian and Pakistan High Commissions said here.

New Delhi has decided to withdraw 50 per cent of its staff in protest against Islamabad’s reluctance to take action against militant groups blamed for attack on Indian Parliament.

The list of Indian officials being withdrawn included one counsellor, one First Secretary, one Second Secretary and two Attaches.

The rest are clerical and administrative staff members.

India has already recalled its High Commissioner in Pakistan. PTI

Pak, India to exchange lists of N-installations

Islamabad, December 29
Amid growing tension between India and Pakistan, both the countries are poised to exchange list of nuclear installations under a special agreement which prohibits Islamabad-New Delhi to attack each other’s nuclear facilities.

Disclosing this, Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said here today that both countries had agreed not to attack each other’s nuclear installations under the special agreement signed in 1991.

Under the accord, both the countries annually exchange fresh lists containing locations of nuclear installations, he said, adding that the time is due for Islamabad and New Delhi to provide each other with new lists.

He said Pakistan would send a new list to India shortly.

“Let me say that the list is unlikely to contain any new facilities. We have not undertaken construction of any new facilities this year. They have to provide a list and from that we have to see whether or not any additions have been made to the old list,” he said.

Asked whether Pakistan would go for nuclear option if the war breaks out, Mr Sattar said nuclear weapons were weapons of defence and deterrence. He said the use of nuclear weapons was too serious an issue to be taken lightly. PTI