Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being briefed by the officials of the Foreign Office. PHOTO: PID
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called an emergency meeting with foreign ministry officials on Thursday, stressing that it is ‘imperative for both India and Pakistan to take effective steps to ensure and restore the ceasefire across the Line of Control’.
Expressing sadness after being briefed by the ministry officials over the recent exchange of fire across the LoC, the prime minister noted that the recent incidents have both set back the normalisation process between Pakistan and India and led to the loss of precious human lives.
He emphasised that while military-to-military channels between Pakistan and India existed, they could be utilised more optimally to prevent misunderstandings in the future and keep the situation from escalating further. The premier added that Pakistan is prepared to discuss measures to further strengthen existing mechanisms, both at the military and political level, with India.
“The leaderships of both India and Pakistan have a responsibility to make sure the situation does not worsen further and to take steps to improve the atmosphere between the two nations by engaging each other constructively, with a view to build trust and confidence,” Premier Nawaz observed. The prime minister also said he was looking forward to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next month, at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He added that he would discuss steps to further strengthen trust between India and Pakistan, and to consolidate the two countries’ relationship during his meeting with his Indian counterpart.
“Pakistan will persist in its efforts to improve relations with India through constructive dialogue on all issues,” he said.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid‚ Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Sartaj Aziz‚ Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and senior officials of the Foreign Office and Prime Minister’s Office attended the briefing as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2013.
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This is absolutely disgusting that he is bending over to appease fanatics in india. I do not know why he has so much "love" for a country that according to chuck hegel has been financing troubles in pakistan using afghan soil.
Wiser Indian Viewpoint ++++++++++++++++++++ Indians appreciate NS. If your neighbouring home is on fire it will also singe you. We cannot close our eyes but to proactively talk and seek innovative solutions.
I appreciate the stand the PM of Pakistan has taken. Army almost dug his grave when he was in power last time. he will have to put army on tight leash to achieve any thing meaningful not only towards India but also for the people of Pakistan. Most of the funds are wasted on army instead for the people.
Well that's problem now isn't it. As long as Army is an independent institution and not under the civilian control they will keep undermining the friendship or any economic ties with India and consequently the people of Pakistan will keep suffering...
I am still to hear against attack on Indian soldiers from any Pakistani. Attack may be by Pk army or terrorists. It is immaterial.
Mr PM.. If only you could pay attention to the domestic problems with as much interest and urgency as this one.
It is lack of leadership from Pakistani leaders that is the root cause of these incidents. Let Nawaz show leadership in reining in his army and its terrorist allies. Pak military is out of his sphere of control What is the point in talking to someone who neither exhibits leadership nor has any control, just because he has good intentions. No. . These are absolutely normal expectations of international behavior. What has he done to deserve a talk? None of the Pakistani leaders have done anything about terrorism against India for the past 25 years. I am yet to see one result oriented action from Pakistani leaders in these 25 years. India needs to talk with someone who can deliver.Let Nawaz initiate at least baby steps in the next one month, if that happens UN meet could still be a possibility.
Forget India and try to remember there is a word call terrorism in Pakistan that is completely forgotten. Do just one favor to the entire nation and announce that no federal minister will use government provided security until ordinary person is safe and then count how many ministers are in the cabinet, if you still have one, salute him and make him PM as he deserves for that post. And if you do not find even one then ask the army to control internal borders and safety of general public.
Indian Accusation needs to be stated very clearly +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It is that the Pakistani Army colluded with Terrorists to enter Indian territory and ambush 5 Indian soldiers. Plausible deniability does not work anymore once the game is up.
Talking to the FO in this instance is like applying balm.... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ on the knee to cure a headache.
Why is NS bending backwards - looks like it beneftis his industry and his other industrialist / trader supports
If this was so serious, why meet Manmohan on the sidelines of the uN GA meeting NEXT MONTH!!! Seems like another attempt to make justify peace with India
Whatever happened is a tragedy. It is time for every Pakistani to demand an investigation into this matter to ensure that this incident is not along the same lines as Musharraf's foolish adventure into Kargil.
Pakistan says: "Naach India Naach" and weak Indian leadership always obliges.
Grow a pair prime minister! Indians are openly threatening and you look like pleading!
Why is Pakistan the first to offer truce, in face of Indian aggression? Mian Sb, get tough with these people. They don't understand any other language.
Why doesnt he understand that there will always be a lobby in India who will drive political mileage from such incidents. Whenever normalization happens, an incident is created and then blown out of proportion on media. The best way to react is to put out the blunt truth that India has always supported baloch and afghan insurgencies into Pakistan costing us thousands of lives. No need to placate them... they are enemies. Period.
nawaz is a sensible leader but Pakistani affaj is quiet rough .
Why is the PM wasting time discussing matters with ministries which lack any serious policy making, as the real boss is in GHQ ! He should be speaking to the GHQ in Rawalpindi .
He should be meeting the army chief as he controls the action on the border/loc. What power does foreign office have ??