Ceasefire Violation: Pakistan rejects ‘baseless’ allegations
Pakistan remains committed to the ceasefire agreement of 2003, says foreign office spokesperson.
Pakistani military authorities confirmed that there had been no exchange of fire which could have resulted in such an incident, says Chaudhry. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has rejected the Indian allegations that its troops carried out an attack across the Line of Control in Poonch that killed five Indian troops.
A statement issued by the foreign ministry in Islamabad dismissed the allegations as ‘baseless and unfounded’.
Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said Pakistani military authorities confirmed that there had been no exchange of fire which could have resulted in such an incident.
Chaudhry said Pakistan remained committed to the ceasefire agreement of 2003. “The ceasefire agreement is an important confidence-building measure and should be respected in letter and spirit,” he added.
Islamabad also stressed the need for abiding by and strengthening the existing military mechanisms to ensure that such “ill-founded reports that have the potential of vitiating the atmosphere are avoided”. As far as Pakistan is concerned, Chaudhry said, it is committed to a “constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India”.
“Pakistan looks forward to an early resumption of the dialogue process. It is important that both sides make serious efforts in maintaining the positive atmosphere and avoid negative propaganda,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2013.
Pakistan has rejected the Indian allegations that its troops carried out an attack across the Line of Control in Poonch that killed five Indian troops.
A statement issued by the foreign ministry in Islamabad dismissed the allegations as ‘baseless and unfounded’.
Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said Pakistani military authorities confirmed that there had been no exchange of fire which could have resulted in such an incident.
Chaudhry said Pakistan remained committed to the ceasefire agreement of 2003. “The ceasefire agreement is an important confidence-building measure and should be respected in letter and spirit,” he added.
Islamabad also stressed the need for abiding by and strengthening the existing military mechanisms to ensure that such “ill-founded reports that have the potential of vitiating the atmosphere are avoided”. As far as Pakistan is concerned, Chaudhry said, it is committed to a “constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India”.
“Pakistan looks forward to an early resumption of the dialogue process. It is important that both sides make serious efforts in maintaining the positive atmosphere and avoid negative propaganda,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2013.