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Pakistan briefs ‘Diplomatic Corps’ on India tensions
staff report/appISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Tuesday said that it briefed “entire Diplomatic Corps based in Islamabad” on the situation arising from the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB) by the Indian Army.
According to a press release, the briefing included a detailed presentation by a senior representative of the Military Operations directorate to explain the situation on the ground, the frequency and intensity of the firing and shelling by the Indian forces since September 30 and details of civilian casualties, injuries and damage to property. In the context of the Kashmir dispute, the press release read the United Nations chief made repeated statements that UN Resolutions did not fade away with the passage of time.
“He underlined that the credibility of the UN system was at stake if its resolutions remained unimplemented as all member countries look up to this sole international body, to address issues relating to peace and stability,” the press release read.
The FO urged the Diplomatic Corps to brief their capitals on the prevailing situation and to impress upon India the urgent need to stop ceasefire violations, “eschew provocative statements leading to war hysteria, and engage in a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, to resolve all outstanding issues through a sustained dialogue process”,
The diplomats were told that efforts towards restoring peace and tranquillity on the LoC and the WB through available means of communications were not responded to by the Indian side.
On a few occasions of sector-level hotline contacts, the Indian side refused to acknowledge that its troops were firing, despite intense shelling on the civilian population in Pakistan, taking place at that time.
In his remarks, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi reiterated the government’s policy for establishing good relations with India.
Referring to the positive overtures of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the previous and present Indian governments, he said early restoration of peace and tranquillity on the LoC and the WB was of paramount importance to the region. Fatemi expressed the government’s deep concern that the Indian ceasefire violations were increasingly targeting Pakistani territory across the Working Boundary. In the face of adversity, the Pakistanis stood united with the government and the armed forces to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. There would be no compromise on the country’s core interests, he emphasised.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk