Pakistan wants resolution of Siachen issue: Kayani

President, army chief and interior minister visit Giari sector, witness ongoing rescue operation.

SIACHEN:
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that Pakistan wants the resolution of the Siachen issue and other matters with India. 

Kayani, who was speaking to the media during a visit to Giari sector, said that neighbours should live together peacefully.

The army chief was visiting the area along with President Asif Ali Zardari, where both were briefed about rescue operations to search for 138 troops and civilians who were buried by a massive avalanche over a week ago.

The army chief also said that, “We will pay whatever cost we have to for the defence of Pakistan”.

Zardari and Kayani were also accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik. He was received by Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Pir Karam Ali Shah, Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah, Kayani and the area Corp Commander.


The president during his visit had an aerial view of the search and rescue activities being undertaken by the army personnel. Later he was given a detailed briefing about the activities underway by Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) Commander Major Gen Ikramul Haq.

He directed that all available resources be utilised to further expedite the operation in view of any possible snow slides due to a rise in temperature rise and that the Presidency be kept informed about the progress.

On April 7, a giant wall of snow crashed down in the Giari sector, swamping the battalion headquarters of 6 Northern Light Infantry, where 124 soldiers and 14 civilians were stationed. Rescuers have yet to pull out a single person, dead or alive.

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif had visited the site on Tuesday and had called on both Pakistan and India to climb down from the icy battlefield. He had advised the Pakistani government to take the lead and withdraw its troops from Siachen Glacier.

He had also given away cheques for Rs 500,000 to each aggrieved family and announced that the Punjab government will provide a job to each affected family and finance the education of their children.
Load Next Story