Pak to give warm welcome to Jaitley at SAARC Finance Ministers' conference

Pakistan has decided to give a warm welcome to Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley amid speculation that he is likely to visit Islamabad this month for the SAARC Finance Ministers conference.

In a hand-out issued by the Ministry of Finance, the government finalised arrangements for the upcoming meeting of finance ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), reports the Express Tribune.

The meeting was chaired by Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to review arrangements for the upcoming SAARC Finance Ministers' conference to be hosted in Islamabad from August 25 -26.

The conference is taking place under the shadows of SAARC Home Ministers' conference that was held earlier this month.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh had taken part in the conference where he called for tough action against terrorism and countries supporting it, saying terrorists should not be glorified as "martyrs".

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Finance Ministry officials said that almost all regional countries except Bangladesh have confirmed their participation in the conference.

The officials added there are chances of gracious handshakes between Dar and Jaitley.

Both Indian Home Minister and his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan exchanged repartee over issues of terrorism.

Officials said that hostilities were at peak during the Home Ministers' Conference and Dar does not wish a repetition.

However, there has been no comment on whether a bilateral meeting would be held between the Finance Ministers of both countries.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also said to participate in the conference.

These meetings are taking place ahead of the SAARC Summit to be held in Islamabad in November this year, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to mark his attendance.