Pakistan condemns LoC violation in Sialkot sector

FO also condemns recent attacks in Afghanistan, says matter of arrested Pakistani journalist being pursued.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has condemned the recent violation of the working boundary in Sialkot between Pakistan and India, in which two Pakistani soldiers were reportedly injured.

"There has been intermittent and unprovoked firing from the Indian side on the Working Boundary in Sialkot which resulted in injuries to two Pakistani soldiers," said Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Aslam during a weekly press briefing.

On June 16, the Indian Border Security Force reportedly resorted to unprovoked firing in Sialkot sector near the line of control.  Following the attack, the Chenab Rangers fired back.

"We have no confirmation that any Indian soldier was killed but certainly the fire was returned," Aslam said.

She also commented on the desire of the Indian defence minister to settle all issues, including the issue of Azad Jammu and Kashmir saying that Pakistan always supported to resolve all the outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including the core issue of Kashmir through dialogue.

However, she said, "But you cannot have dialogue and at the same time impose pre-conditions.”

She added that the trial of the accused in Mumbai case is proceeding unlike the trial of those accused in the Samjhota terrorist attack in which Pakistanis were the victims.

“I am not saying that we want to hold up progress on one because of the other but we do expect that Pakistanis who have been victims of terrorists would also get justice,” said Aslam.

Afghan attacks

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also strongly condemned the recent militant attacks in Afghanistan, including the one in Paktika Province on Tuesday in which a car bomb killed over 40 near the Pak-Afghan border.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the speediest recovery of the injured,” the FO spokesperson said.

Aslam further added no cause justifies such acts of violence especially in the holy month of Ramazan.

The foreign office spokesperson appreciated the efforts of those involved in reaching a peaceful decision for a complete audit of polls in Afghanistan after allegations of fraud in the second round of presidential elections.

“We believe this is a success for democracy, stability and national unity in Afghanistan. Pakistan wishes the Afghan authorities and the international partners well, as the next steps in this important process are undertaken over the coming weeks,” she said.

Arrested Pakistani journalist

Commenting on the conviction of Pakistani journalist Faizullah Khan in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said the matter has been actively pursued with the Afghan authorities to secure the release of the journalist.

"Our consular generals in Jalalabad and Kabul embassy have been pursuing this case on the legal and political tracks," she said.

Aslam said that the consular general held meetings with the Afghan officials and secured immediate consular access to the journalist, facilitated his contact with the family and arranged a lawyer. Furthermore, the ambassador in Kabul also held meetings with Afghan foreign and interior ministers asking for Khan’s release on humanitarian grounds.

According to the spokesperson, due to these efforts the most serious charges against Khan have been dropped to help Pakistan in this case.

“I wish to underscore that this case is being pursued as a matter of priority and we will continue our efforts with the Afghan side at the legal and political levels to secure early release of Mr Faizullah Khan.”