Pakistan

India's defence build-up will disturb stability in region: FO

FO spokesperson says Pakistan seeks peace in the region and is therefore against any arms race

News Desk February 25, 2016

PHOTO: ISPR

Pakistan on Thursday said that the defence buildup pursued by India will disturb stability in the region, Radio Pakistan reported.

At a weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria while raising concern over the exceptional treatment being meted out to New Delhi by the Nuclear Supplier Group said, "Pakistan seeks peace in the region and is therefore against any arms race."

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Zakaria categorically rejected any obstacles in the way of Pakistan-India foreign secretary level talks. "Both countries are in touch with each other to work out mutually convenient dates for the talks," he added.

Upon being asked about progress on the Pathankot attack case, the spokesperson said that a special investigation team is set to visit India to collect evidence of the airbase attack.

"The Kashmiris' movement for their right to self-determination is indigenous and enjoys popular support. It cannot be linked with any terrorism," the spokesperson said while responding to another question.

Referring to Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the FO spokesperson said that the launch of the final phase of the operation in North Waziristan is a clear manifestation of Pakistan's resolve to root out terrorism from the country.

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Discussing the Afghan peace process, Zakaria announced that Afghan groups, including Taliban, have been invited to the talks with the governmen in Kabul. "It was decided that no pre-conditions will be acceptable for the peace talks," he reiterated.

COMMENTS (12)

Raj | 8 years ago | Reply India has to increase its defence expenditure and defence buildup to protect itself from China. So, there is no point in blaming INdia for this. Instead Pakistan can advice its all weather friend China to stop increasing its defence build up before advising india on defence buildup. Also, if Kashmiris are fighting for independence, then apply the same logic and the world views that Balochistan is also fighting for Independence. So, Pakistan should give freedom to Balochistan. Then it can advise india.

Indian | 8 years ago | Reply @abreez: Why bother about poverty in India ? We have a democratically elected government to look after India's problems. Worry about poverty in Pakistan mate.

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tatvavetta | 8 years ago | Reply Terrorism in India will have implications on other side of border since Terrorism is like contagious disease. Terrorism has disturbed stability and peace in the region. The Kashmiris’ movement for their right to self-determination " is synthetic. If all ethnic groups, religious groups , cultural groups must have self-determination then China should break up into 56 nations, Russian into another 50 nations, India into 50 countries and Pakistan should atleast break up into Baluchistan, Sndh and Pakhtunistan. Europe is intregrating into EU , India, China, USA are already integrated countries.Average Humans including Kashmiris need security, fearless existence, good health, economic stability, apart from Food ,water and shelter. Only a few politically ambitious guns weilding individuals talk of Self -determination with ulterior motive of exploiting the masses.Pakistan and India should concentrate on welfare of citizens of teritory under their control and not engage in futile struggle created nder garb of Human Rights.

vinsin | 8 years ago | Reply There are other countries in the region other than Pakistan. India has enjoyed that position historically. Peace in the region will demand denuclearization of both India and Pakistan. Fact is Pakistan wants same or more preferential than India for NSG. Kashmiri Independence movement is now confined to only valley and among Sunnis, still majority though. Pakistan should remove all terrorists groups and their affiliates from its territory before claiming she seeks peace in the region.

rama | 8 years ago | Reply What about the Baluchistan , Is it not indigenous movement ??

Tyggar | 8 years ago | Reply I did not know that the Ghaznavi missile was part of India's buildup

Islamic Thekedar | 8 years ago | Reply Balochistan movement is also indigenous movement then. This part was annexed by Pakistan against the wishes of its people in 1948. India should extend the moral support to the Baloch freedom fighters.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Australia | 8 years ago | Reply Just by using the name Freedom fighter, terrorists cannot become good... Terrorists are terrorists, not a good or bad one... Till such time Pakistan keeps denying this fact, it will continue to be "migraine of the world" and getting rid of terrorism from land of pure will only be a dream.

Shakti | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan is welcome to buy more Chinese weapons. Each nation does what it has to do for its own security. Pak has the right to object though.

Another Indian | 8 years ago | Reply As if the region is stable now...

abreez | 8 years ago | Reply India’s defense build-up will make world’s biggest poverty even bigger poverty of the world and it will effect positively on Pakistan. 1. ‘House of Boney’ will face greater criticism when people of Pakistan will ask why ‘House of Boney’ was helping America in ‘war of $3 trillion trade’ when America was helping world’s biggest poverty in choosing sophisticated arms. That criticism on one end will compel ‘House of Boney’ not to prominent itself and on other end compel America to offer some hi-tech arms so that could save reputation of ‘House of Boney’. 2. India’s defense build-up will compel Pakistan to invest in Pak-Russia relationship and this relationship will open for both Pakistan and Russia doors of many currently unthinkable opportunities. Pak-Russia relationship will encourage rail and road links which will mean for Pakistan tourists and for Russia profit from oil sale no matter if oil prices hit the mark of $20 barrel. 3. India’s defense build- up will increase anti-India sentiments in Pakistan and these sentiments will compel ‘Indian lovers’ in Pakistan to keep a safe distance from India.

AKBOB | 8 years ago | Reply “The Kashmiris’ movement for their right to self-determination is indigenous and enjoys popular support. It cannot be linked with any terrorism,” .... then how come all (not most) the blokes captured alive in Kashmir are from Pak Punjab ? the sooner Pakistan realizes that the world does not buy this line... the better it would be for Kashmir.

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