Pakistan cannot be bullied, says PM Nawaz

Premier says Pakistan fully capable of defending its soil against any belligerence

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan cannot be bullied by India's tactics.

"Pakistan cannot be bullied by such tactics as we are fully capable of defending our soil against any belligerence," the premier said while chairing a meeting regarding the deteriorating situation on the Line of Control (LoC).

On November 14, Pakistan Army said seven of its soldiers were martyred as Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing overnight at Bhimber sector of the LoC.

Nawaz said Pakistan is exercising maximum restraint in the face of Indian violence, which should not be misunderstood as our weakness.

Expressing grief and extending condolences to the families of the martyrs, the PM stressed that deliberate escalation of tension at LoC by Indian forces is a threat to regional peace and security. "It is also a futile attempt of the Indian authorities to divert the world’s attention from the worst kind of atrocities they are committing against the defenceless and innocent people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK)", he remarked.



The premier further said UN must take notice of the ceasefire violations on LoC and the unwarranted escalation of tension between the two countries. "Our armed forces do not initiate fire but will always respond in a befitting manner to any aggression", the premier said.

Earlier, Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz briefed Nawaz on the increased frequency of indiscriminate firing and shelling from the Indian side targeting civilian populated areas. He said the recent incidents of firing have resulted in the killing of 26 civilians and injuries to 107, including women and children, in complete violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and International law.

The premier was also briefed on Pak-US relations in the backdrop of recently held presidential elections in the United States. Reaffirming to further strengthen bilateral relations, the premier said that Pakistan and US enjoy strong and strategic partnership spanning over a period of seven decades.



"Pakistan looks forward to closely work with the newly elected government for realisation of peace, security and prosperity in the region and beyond", said the Prime Minister.

General Nasir Khan Janjua NSA, Tariq Fatemi and other senior government officials were also present during the meeting.