Pakistan on Tuesday ruled out joint relief operations with India in quake-hit Kashmir and instead made a counter offer to help New Delhi in its efforts to deal with the crisis.
"There is no possibility of any joint relief operations on both sides of the Line of Control. There is no population on the LoC," newly-appointed Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasleen Aslam told reporters in Islamabad.
The Pakistan army is operating in villages and towns in PoK, including far-flung areas but not on the LoC, she said.
"We remain willing to help Indians if we are needed for any kind of assistance, like the Indians offered us any kind of assistance," she said.
Replying to another question, she said India has formally been informed of Pakistan's offer.
She said Pakistan was "grateful" for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's offer of any assistance. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran too spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan on the recently established hotline and offered assistance.
"At the moment we are assessing our requirements. We are getting assistance. We will see if there is need for assistance (from India)," she said adding, we need to keep in mind that the earthquake has hit parts of India and Jammu and Kashmir.
"But if need be, we are ready to help them like they have offered to help us," Aslam said.
Responding to a question about security concerns, she said, "I don't know. Maybe India media has reported about security concerns."
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