Senate panel criticises India for sabotaging peace efforts in Siachen

Senate Defence Committee visits Siachen. It is the first ever visit of the area by any parliamentary committee

ISLAMABAD: Senate Defence Committee chairperson Senator Mushahid Hussain has criticised the Indian military establishment for sabotaging all efforts for peace in Siachen.

Criticising the Indian military establishment for sabotaging all efforts for peace at Siachen, the defence committee chairperson lamented that India has consistently rejected all proposals for peace in Siachen proposed by Pakistan, even those in the aftermath of the Giyari tragedy.

The Defence committee, which was visiting the highest battle ground in the world, expressed its concerns over the consequences of climate change and global warming, which was having adverse consequences not just for Siachen but also for the region.

Hussain urged India to cooperate with Pakistan and called on other South Asian countries to jointly formulate a regional strategy on the issue of climate change and global warming.

This was the first such visit by any parliamentary panel to Siachen, a press statement said.

During their two-day visit, members of the panel first landed in Skardu where they were briefed. They then flew to Giyari located 12,500 feet above sea-level, where 140 soldiers and officers of the Pakistan Army were killed in an avalanche in April 2012. The delegation laid a wreath at a monument for martyrs.

The delegation then visited a strategic military post located at Bilafond-la at a height of almost 17,000 feet above sea-level. Indian Army is based close to Bilafond-la at the Line of Actual Contact.

Addressing troops, Hussain lauded their valour, morale and determination in performing their duties under extreme conditions.

Upon their return from Bilafond-la, the committee received another briefing at the local Brigade Headquarters at Goma, located at 10,500 feet.

The Defence Committee delegation included Senator Sabir Ali Baloch, Senator Haji Adeel, Senator Mohsin Leghari, Senator Abdur Rauf and Senator Dr Saeeda Iqbal, as well as Secretary of Defence Committee Dr Pervez Abbas.

The panel is expected to brief the media about their visit on Wednesday at Parliament House.