FM Qureshi seeks clarification from India on 'flying object'

Indian Charge d'Affaires summoned to the Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday sought clarification from India after a 'flying object', which originated from India's Sirsa area, violated Pakistani airspace.

In a statement, the minister said that the violation by the object was against law, and the real motives behind the incident were being investigated.

He maintained that this was the second time India had violated the Pakistani airspace and stated that the Indian Charge d’Affaires has been summoned to the Foreign Office for clarification.

“India will have to be held accountable for this, and the next course of action will be decided after their explanation”, FM Qureshi said.

He added that the Indian move was aggressive and not a 'technical failure'.

“Pakistan had given a prudent response in 2019”, he recalled, claiming that India’s move was 'worrisome'.

FM Qureshi further said that representatives from foreign countries would be invited to the foreign ministry and will be briefed on the situation, and he hoped that the international community would take note.

The country's top diplomat said that Pakistan had defended itself yesterday and would continue to do so and added that the treatment of minorities in India was concerning.

Indian Charge d'Affaires summoned

Pakistan on Friday summoned the Charge d'Affaires of India to the FO to convey Pakistan's strong objection over the unprovoked violation of its airspace by an Indian origin 'super-sonic flying object'.

Read Pakistan seeks answer from India after 'supersonic missile' crashes near Mian Chunnu

In a statement, FO Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the projectile entered Pakistan from Suratgarh, India at 6:43 pm on Wednesday and crashed near the city of Mian Chunnu at around 6:50 pm causing damage to civilian property.

The spokesperson added that the Indian diplomat was told that the imprudent launch of the object not only caused damage to civilian property but also put human lives on the ground at risk.

He further said that the flight path of the flying object endangered several domestic and international flights within Pakistani airspace and could have resulted in a serious aviation accident.

The spokesperson added that such “irresponsible incidents” were also reflective of India's disregard for air safety and callousness towards regional peace and stability.

Iftikhar called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident, the outcome of which must be shared with Pakistan.