Islamabad: Despite a denial from Russia on reports of leasing nuclear submarines to India, Pakistan today (Oct 25, 2004) said it would raise the issue in the forthcoming expert level talks with New Delhi.

"We have scheduled CBMs, talks on both nuclear and conventional issues. We shall discuss all these issues when we meet," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan told reporters when asked to comment on reports about India's plans to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia.

The issue could be taken up for discussion during the expert level talks on nuclear and conventional CBMs to be held in Islamabad from December 14 to 16, he said.

Russian media, quoting defence ministry sources, had on Thursday reported that India was to lease two Akula class nuclear submarines from Russia. The reports were termed as "untrue" by the Russian Defence Minister a day later.

Asked about reports that a conference by former Army Chiefs of India recommended deployment of special forces in Kashmir, Khan said the issue could also come for talks during the experts level talks between the Defence officials.

He said the CBM process initiated by India-Pakistan should be felt by Kashmiris. The Kashmiris should be made part of the on going peace process.

Khan termed as "speculative" reports in the US media that Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan.