Despite ceasefire violations, Pakistan reiterates committment to dialogue

Government to fight against extremists refusing to give up their weapons.

ISLAMABAD: The Defense Committee of the Cabinet has restructured the National Security Council to quickly respond to sensitive national issues. The council will enhance coordination between military and civil institutions, Express News reported.

The committee also decided that negotiations with extremists will be conditional and there will be no dialogue until they are ready to deweaponise. The government will fight against extremists refusing to give up their weapons.

The decision was taken in a meeting presided by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Information Minister Pervez Rasheed, Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Federal Defense Secretary Lieutenant General (Retired) Asif Yasin Malik and other senior civil and military officials attended the meeting.

“India has violated the ceasefire agreement 240 times during this year. Eight soldiers including two officials have been martyred as a result. Continuous shelling has also destroyed numerous houses,” said DGMO in his briefing to the cabinet.

 

Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz further added that Pakistan has protested the line of control violations numerous times. India should respect the ceasefire line agreement and the tensions between the two countries should immediately be resolved.