ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday stated dialogue between India and Pakistan is not possible in the present circumstances due to India’s hostile behaviour towards Kashmir and Pakistan.

“Dialogue between India and Pakistan is not possible in the present circumstances,” said the defence minister during the Senate's defence committee session.

He maintained that India’s hostile behaviour towards Kashmir and Pakistan is an obstacle in carrying out smooth process of dialogue between the neighbourly countries.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, reacting to Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s statement on Kashmir, had earlier stated that a verdict on the future of Kashmir can only be given by the people of Kashmir.

Swaraj on Saturday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must understand that "Kashmir can never become a part of Pakistan".

The Indian minister also accused Pakistan of backing militants with the help of UN-designated terrorists and notorious figures such as Hafiz Saeed, in order to turn the valley into a living hell.

Torkham border gate to open August 1

The new border gate on Torkham, a major crossing point on the Pak-Afghan border, is ready and will be opened on August 1, the Senate defence committee was informed on Monday.

"New gate complex would house FIA, Customs and other security offices and no entry would be allowed without proper travel documents," said Additional Secretary Defence Abid Nazir.

He added that round the clock surveillance will be conducted at the crossing point and the double wire fence on the border and the gate complex will ensure check on illegal movement.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had formally agreed over ceasefire at Torkham after days of skirmishes between forces of two sides, which cost the life of a Pakistan Army officer and also caused losses on Afghanistan's side.

The construction work on Torkham gate was restarted following the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.