UN must take notice of Indian firing at border, says PM
ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said India’s violation of the ceasefire agreement at the Line of Control (LoC) is an attempt to divert the world’s attention from the atrocities it is committing against innocent people of India-administered Kashmir, reports Dawn online.
Chairing a meeting here on Tuesday to review the situation at the LoC a day after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border firing, the premier said escalation of tension at LoC by Indian forces is a threat to regional peace and security.
Expressing profound grief and extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs, the prime minister said Pakistan was exercising maximum restraint in the face of Indian violence, which should not be misunderstood as its weakness.
He stressed that Pakistan cannot be bullied by such tactics as “we are fully capable of defending our soil against any belligerence”.
He urged the United Nations to take notice of India’s violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz briefed the premier on the latest situation after the latest skirmishes at the LoC.
Sartaj said the recent incidents of firing by Indian forces have resulted in the deaths of 26 and injuries to 107 civilians.
The Foreign Office on Monday summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale to lodge a protest against the killing of soldiers
Pakistan was exercising maximum restraint in the face of Indian violence, and it should not be misunderstood as its weakness
across the LoC. Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said India must stop ceasefire violations and avoid targeting residents along the LoC.
The prime minister was also briefed on Pakistan-US relations in wake of election of Donald Trump as the new American president.
Radio Pakistan quoted the PM as saying that Pakistan looks forward to closely work with the newly-elected US government “for realisation of peace, security and prosperity in the region and beyond”.
National Security Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua, PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and senior government officials attended the meeting.