Pakistan defends LoC truce with India

FO allays veteran Kashmiri leader Ali Geelani’s concerns over ceasefire agreement

ISLAMABAD:

The Foreign Office on Thursday denied the perception that the recent agreement between Islamabad and New Delhi to honour the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) would only benefit India.

“The agreement will help save Kashmiris’ lives and alleviate the suffering of those living along the LoC,” said Spokesperson Zahid Hafiz Chaudhri at his weekly briefing.

He was responding to the criticism that the agreement reached between the directors-general military operations of India and Pakistan would only serve the cause of the “Hindutwa regime”. His attention was particularly drawn towards the statement given by veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani who, while criticising the LoC accord, feared that the move would only embolden India in its determination to commit more atrocities against the people of Kashmir.

Responding to the criticism, the spokesperson explained that Pakistan had consistently underscored the need for implementing the 2003 ceasefire understanding in letter and spirit for the maintenance of peace along the Line of Control and for saving the precious lives of innocent Kashmiris.

“We have also maintained that escalation along the LOC is a threat to regional peace and security. The recent development is very much in line with Pakistan’s consistent position,” he added.

The spokesperson insisted that there was no change in Pakistan’s principled position on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir that remained anchored in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. “These resolutions recognise the Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination and unambiguously call for a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices,” he said.

He praised Syed Ali Geelani Saheb for what he called “his sacrifices and contribution to further the cause of Jammu and Kashmir”.

“He is one of the most respected Kashmiri leaders. He has dedicated his entire life for the Jammu and Kashmir cause. In recognition of his contribution and sacrifices for the cause of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has recently conferred upon him the highest civilian award, Nishan-i-Pakistan,” the spokesperson remarked.

The ceasefire agreement has renewed hopes for a possible thaw in tense ties between the two nuclear armed neighbours.

When asked about the possibility of resumption of talks, the spokesperson made it clear that Pakistan had never shied away from seeking resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue.

“Pakistan has never shied away from talks and has always called for a peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the internationally-recognised dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Asked to comment on the US State Department’s statement declaring Jammu and Kashmir as “union territory of India”, the spokesperson said Pakistan had already conveyed its concerns to Washington.

“We believe the reference is inconsistent with [the] disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir as recognised by numerous United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the international community,” he said.

He added Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest items on the agenda of the UNSC, which remains unresolved because of India’s intransigence and unwillingness to implement the relevant UNSC resolutions and its own solemn commitments made to Pakistan, the Kashmiris and the international community.

“Political and economic progress of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is linked to realisation of their desire for exercising their right to self-determination,” the spokesperson further explained.

He said by denying the Kashmiris their inherent and inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the UNSC resolution, India is in continued violation of its international obligations.

The international community, including the United States, must urge India to stop its consistent and systematic human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and take genuine steps to resolve the dispute in a peaceful manner in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, he said.