PML-N retracts Sharif's 'unilateral Siachen troops withdrawal' stance

Islamabad, Apr 21(ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has retracted its stance regarding the unilateral withdrawal of troops from the Siachen Glacier and said the party chief Nawaz Sharif had proposed that Pakistan should take the lead in talks on the dispute.

"Mian sahib did not suggest a unilateral withdrawal of troops from Siachen. What we said was Pakistan should lead a dialogue with India over the issue," The Daily Times quoted PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, as saying.

He said that Sharif's statement was misinterpreted and wrongly reported in a section of the press.

Commenting on PTI Chairman Imran Khan's remarks that he did not visit Siachen due to scarcity of funds, Nisar said:

"There is no doubt that Khan is a poor fellow and cannot afford a visit of Gayari to express solidarity with soldiers trapped under a gigantic avalanche... He can use private jets, owned by several members of his party, for foreign and domestic visits but cannot go to Gayari."

Meanwhile, Sharif said past mistakes by both Pakistan and India and their attitude towards each other had been hindering talks on the Siachen issue. (ANI)