"We are in contact with India for new date," Pakistani FO confirms cancellation of Jan 15 meeting

ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) - Just one day before the scheduled meeting of foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India, Islamabad has confirmed that there would be no meeting on January 15.

Addressing a routine news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, the foreign office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said that Islamabad was in contact with New Delhi for decision on a new date of the meeting.

He however did not share any further details about the reason of cancellation of the scheduled meeting.

When asked about the arrest of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Moulana Masood Azhar, the spokesman said that he was not aware of the development. We are in touch with Indian side on Pathankot, eh confirmed.

Earlier Indian media quoted officials as saying that both Islamabad and New Delhi have postponed the meeting after mutual consultation. National Security Advisers of two countries may meet in third country before any meeting between foreign secretaries, the reports said.

The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India were due to meet on January 15 in Islamabad to lay down a road map of restoration of comprehensive bilateral dialogue that was announced during Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj's Islamabad visit last month.