Islamabad, Sept 24: Pakistan today said it was considering the Indian offer to extend the strength of the staff in their respective High Commissions in both the countries to 55 from the present 47 but at the same time expressed its preference to restore the full strength. Reacting to New Delhi's proposal made yesterday that both countries could appoint eight more staff members, Pakisatan foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said "Pakistan considers the proposal but it would be better if India agreed to the original strength before the December 13 Parliament attack". Following the December 13 attack on parliament, among the stiff measures taken by India was to reduce by 50 per cent the staff strength of its mission in Islamabad from 110. After tit-for-tat expulsions, this went further down to 47.
Bureau Report