Sartaj Aziz, the adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on national security and foreign affairs, appealed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to advise India to adopt a reasonable approach and refrain its armed forces from acting irrationally and violating the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to a Foreign Office statement, Aziz contacted Ban Ki-moon via telephone to discuss the recent border clashes and the role of the United Nations to help address the situation and prevent further escalation.
Recent border clashes have killed at least 12 Pakistanis since October 6. Though clashes occur regularly along the Line of Control as well as the working boundary, the latest shelling has been unusual in its intensity and frequency.
“The Adviser briefed the secretary general on the frequency and intensity of the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling by the Indian forces and the resulting civilian casualties, injuries and damage to property,” the statement said.
“The adviser noted that Pakistan was fully united and determined to thwart any aggression, and had responded to India’s provocations with utmost restraint and responsibility,” the statement added.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to maintain good relations with its neighbouring countries, Aziz urged the need for early restoration of peace on the LoC and the working boundary.
“He said that in the interest of durable peace in the region, there must also be a way forward for resolving outstanding disputes including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir, on which the United Nations itself has permanent responsibility to implement its own resolutions that promised self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Urging that progress and peace in the region requires cooperation from both sides, Aziz said, “Rejecting bilateral dialogue and denying international engagement and legitimacy are unhelpful and counter-productive.”
Appreciating the work of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), Aziz said that its role should be further strengthened to facilitate more effective monitoring and reporting of ceasefire violations.
“The UN should not be inhibited by non-cooperation of one side,” Aziz said.
According to the statement, Ban Ki-moon reiterated his concern on the escalation of violence on the border and deplored the loss of lives.
“He (Ban Ki-Moon) emphasised the importance of both sides taking necessary steps to de-escalate the situation and resolve all outstanding issues through negotiations,” the statement read.
This is not the first time Aziz has appealed to the UN for assistance in solving the long-running dispute with India over the status of Kashmir. Earlier, on October 11, Aziz wrote a letter to the UN secretary general informing him about the clashes and requesting assistance.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Haider: My dear brother. Every time I read your comment I feel like saying "awwww". Simply because your outlook towards all the border situation is really naive and very simplistic. It is technically impossible to have ground sensor all along the border. And the sensor are only good enough if the army is present at the spot where it goes off. Keeping eye on the patrolling cycle it is possible with some calculation to time the infiltration. To keep the patrolling army busy start firing so they turn attention to response back while infiltrators cross the border. Job done. Unless you think that there is Indian army standing at foot distance from each other forming human chain along the border. I suppose you are assuming we have star war like automated lasers and sentinel guns to automatically fire at the location where sensor goes off. Wow I wish we had that. But sorry dude, we don't.
Sartaj Aziz Saab - No one buys into the plausible deniability business any more. After OBL, that strategy went straight out the window. Now you are openly called "pathological liars" (Richard Clarke) and "greedy nation" (C. Christine Fair). Clean up your act, please.
It is not India but Pakistan Army escalating the cross border firing on its Eastern border and against Iran on Western border. US is instigated for drone attacks on tribal areas by your non state actors. UN and whole world knows the reality, hence no one reacts to your appeals despite being a nuclear weaponized state.
There we go, so it's now over telephone. UN should soon put the Pakistani government's phone number in blocked list, so that they don't have to bear this torture again and again
If we are united and can thwart India then why don't we do it instead of asking UN's help?? Logic dear Watson??
shamelessness is at its peak!!!! one and only country- pakistan
Well done Pakistan! . As I mentioned in my previous comment, Pakistan under PM Sharif uses diplomacy and statesmanship. India under moodi users violence and thuggery .
Dear UN, It is so unfair that in the recent past India has started firing back whenever we provide covering fire to terrorists infiltrating into India. We request the UN to put a stop to this outrageous, unprovoked action by India. We request the Secy General to intervene and hand over Kashmir to us. Thanking you, Pakistan
Pakistans current border fracas with Iran has .... +++++++++++++++++++++ Robbed Mr Azizs repeated complaints against India to the UN of any credibility.