Pak ready to resolve all issues with India through talks: PM
Imran congratulates nation on second anniversary of Operation Swit Retort; I see no reason for India, Pak to continue with any kind of hostilities, says Abhinandan in a newly-released footage
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said Pakistan always stood for peace and remained ready to move forward to resolve all outstanding issues with India through dialogue.
The prime minister congratulated the nation and saluted the armed forces on the second anniversary of the country’s response to India’s military strikes against Pakistan.
“As a proud and confident nation, we responded with determined resolve at a time and place of our choosing,” he said in a series of tweets.
Imran said, “We also demonstrated to the world Pakistan’s responsible behaviour in the face of India’s irresponsible military brinkmanship, by returning the captured Indian pilot.”
He welcomed the restoration of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India along the Line of Control. “The onus of creating an enabling environment for further progress rests with India,” he said.
The prime minister stressed that India must take the necessary steps to meet the longstanding demand and right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The nation celebrated Surprise Day on Saturday to pay tribute to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for downing an Indian fighter jet piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardaman in 2019.
On Feb.27, 2019, the PAF carried out Operation Swift Retort and shot down two Indian Air Force fighter jets and dropped bombs within the compounds of Indian military facilities in Kashmir as a warning.
The operation resulted in the capture of Abhinandan, after his Mig-21 was shot down. The pilot was later handed over to Indian authorities as “a goodwill gesture.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan wanted to resolve its issues with India through peaceful dialogue and desired resolution of the Kashmir dispute according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
In a televised statement, he said, “We have to find solution to our core issues. We have to find a way through peaceful dialogue.”
Pakistan wanted a dialogue with India but it could not ignore the human rights violations of Kashmiris and wanted talks on the Kashmir issue in line with the UN Security Council resolutions, he said.
The minister said Pakistan had no aggressive designs but if Balakot will be repeated Pakistan knows how to defend itself.
Meanwhile, PAF on the occasion of second anniversary of Operation Swift Retort paid tribute to valiant “Shaheens” for their brave defence of the motherland while retaliating to Indian Air Force violation of its sovereign territories on Feb. 27, 2019.
The celebration ceremony of Surprise Day was held at the PAF Headquarters. The Operation Swift Retort was a rapid response to Indian Air Force strike in Balakot obliterating Pakistan’s airspace that had merely harmed a few trees and a wild crow.
The PAF giving a resounding response had carried out air strikes at six multiple locations in Kashmir and engaged its counterpart in a dogfight whereas it was the first ever incident after 1971 when both the rival forces had attacked each others’ territory.
Meanwhile, a video was released where Abhinandan said we have to think patiently about the situation of Kashmir.
Abhinandan said that he never felt any difference between Pakistan and India and found both countries the same while coming down via parachute. He also hoped for peace between both the neighbouring countries.
“I do not know what needs to be done to bring about peace but I only know that there should be peace. And I see no reason for us to continue with any kind of hostilities. I want that peace [should] be established.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan said Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be considered as weakness and any misadventure will be responded immediately.
The air chief was addressing a special ceremony organised at the Air Headquarters Islamabad.