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Pakistan wouldn’t allow India to construct new bunkers on WB: FO
Spokesperson says UN responsible to make UNMOGIP more effective to deal with the ceasefire violations
INP
ISLAMABAD - Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam on Thursday said that India is trying to construct new bunkers in violation of the agreement, which Pakistan will not allow. According to the agreement about Working Boundary, India and Pakistan cannot carryout constructions within 500 meters.
During her weekly briefing here the spokesperson said that India is targeting the civilian population on the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary in clear violation of ceasefire agreement.
She said that Pakistan has highlighted issue of unprovoked Indian firing on LoC and Working Boundary at the United Nations and other forum. She said UN has a responsibility to make UNMOGIP more effective to deal with the ceasefire violations.
The spokesperson said that as on the other side of LoC, there are also Kashmiri brothers and sisters, that’s why Pakistan has always given measured response to Indian unprovoked firing and shelling on the civilians on Pakistani side.
She said that violent incidents with Iran are not similar to those with India. She said that Pakistan’s disputes with India are on fundamental issues, which need to be resolved through negotiations.
Regarding Iran, the spokesperson said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong multifaceted relations. She said that Pakistan has a long border with Iran, which both the countries want to monitor in an effective manner to avoid violence.
She said that recently a meeting between Pakistani and Iranian border forces’ chief took place in Tehran. She said that they deliberated on different ways to improve border surveillance so that irritants could be removed.
The spokesperson said that soon Afghan president will visit Islamabad, as Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has extended a formal invitation. She said that Sartaj Aziz's meeting with new Afghan leadership remained very positive. She said both the countries have strong desire to transform their partnership into economic relations.
She said that there are many areas which can be tapped to further our ties. She said there is a thought of connecting Central Asia with Pakistan through Kabul and recently CASA-1000 agreement is a major step forward. She said both the countries are focusing on these lines to transform their partnership, which is healthy sign.
Regarding Afghan reconciliation, she reiterated Pakistan’s stance that it is ready to extend all possible support to Kabul in an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process. She said that Pakistan is not supporting any single group in Afghanistan.
About relations with Russia, Tasnim Aslam said that our ties are moving in an upward trajectory. Both the countries, under strategic dialogue hold meetings time and again to discuss all areas, including trade and investment, security and other regional issues
She said the two countries have convergence of views on many areas and both are desirous to strengthen their partnership. She said that Pakistan seeks Russian investment.
The spokesperson said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to attend SAARC Summit being held in Katmandu on 26th and 27th of next month. She said that Malala Yusafzai is daughter of Pakistan who made the country proud with her Nobel achievement. She said that she can visit her homeland whenever she wants to.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk