Pakistan confirms summit dates

Pakistan has confirmed that it has proposed the second week of January for the summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) which it is hosting this time round.

The move comes as tension between Pakistan and India remains high, with one-million troops ranged along their border, although both sides recently announced withdrawals.

If the Indian prime minister, Atal Bihari Vaypayee, attends the summit, it will be his first visit to Pakistan since 1999.

But Mr Vajpayee has said that, even if goes to Pakistan, he will not engage in any direct, bilateral talks with the Pakistani president, General Pervez Musharraf.

Pakistan's statement that the South Asian regional summit could take place on January the 11th to 13th follows reports in India that no dates had been offered.