India's ceasefire violations could pave way for ‘major war’: Khawaja Asif

Foreign minister says the federal cabinet meeting has passed a resolution denouncing 'Indian terrorism' in Kashmir

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that heavy weaponry was being used by the Indian forces at the Line of Control (LoC) and continuing ceasefire violations by them could pave way for a major war between the two neighbouring countries.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, he said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government would utilise all diplomatic resources to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully. However, the Pakistani military is fully capable of dealing with any situation if a war is imposed, Express News quoted him as saying.

Expressing deep sorrow over loss of at least 20 innocent lives at the hands of occupying forces in held Kashmir over the weekend, the federal minister said the violence in the last 24 hours was unprecedented. Over 520 Kashmiri people have been martyred while at least 9,000 injured in the past two years, he added.



At least 20 people were killed in a Sunday search conducted by Indian forces in Shopian district of the restive region. Over 100 were injured in the operation.

The foreign minister said a resolution denouncing the ‘Indian terrorism’ has also been passed by the federal cabinet in today’s meeting.

Asif said the government is raising the issue at all international fora including the United Nations, adding that the secretary general of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also been contacted in this regard.

“Not only in Kashmir, but the Muslim blood is being shed in Myanmar and Palestine as well…we hope the Islamic countries are with us on the issue,” he said.



“We also have good relations with other countries if India enjoys cordial ties with the international community. We have good ties with the European Union and bilateral relations with the United States are getting better,” he said, adding that the government would not allow mistakes of the past to be repeated again.

Asif said every country experiences political tensions and added that all political forces were on the same page and Pakistan will review all international ties in its greater interest.

The foreign minister went on to say that pinning hope of improvement in bilateral ties with the Indian leadership is useless as they themselves are terrorists, adding that the ruling party in India, PM Narendra Modi’s BJP, is trying to increase its vote bank by spreading religious hatred.