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Pakistan withdraws warships from high-alert positions

The moves are part of the confidence building measures (CBMs) to ease the tension between the countries.

Pakistan, however, was silent on the first Indian announcement made on June 10, of lifting the ban on use of its airspace by Pakistani commercial aircraft.

Pakistan was also silent on reciprocating to India's announcement of naming Harsh Kumar Bashin as its new high commissioner, replacing Vijay Nambiar who was recalled in protest against Pakistan's inaction against militants.

The announcement about the withdrawal of the warships followed Thursday's talks between US Deputy Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad.

Earlier, Pakistan's outgoing Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar had, on June 10, said that his government welcomed the Indian move to re-open its skies and that Pakistan would respond positively, which it is yet to do.

With over 70 flights of Air India and Indian Airlines to Afghanistan, for Europe, Central Asia, Russia and US, Pakistani authorities believe that the overflight ban is hurting India.

Despite lifting of the ban by India, "There is no chance of restoration of PIA flights before mid-July. We are not in any hurry as our losses are comparatively lower," a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official told The News daily.

The Pakistan government is watching the situation and restoration of flights to India is impossible without complete de-escalation of the war-like situation, he told the daily.

PTI

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