Sartaj expresses concern over Indian aggression

Says Indian forces have been violating ceasefire for 7 days

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday expressed his deep concern over the recent ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary by the Indian security forces.

“For seven days now, the Indian security forces have been firing and shelling across the LoC and working boundary,” Aziz said in a statement.

Yesterday was Eid day but the Indian forces, in complete disregard of the festive event, carried on the firing and put four innocent lives to death, he added.

Aziz said it was sad that the Indian government had not been able to restrain its forces despite strong diplomatic protest by Pakistan. “We call upon the Indian government to immediately cease fire and shelling and help us preserve tranquility,” he said.

He said the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had extended a hand of friendship to India. “However, with abrupt cancellation of foreign secretary level talks, the Indian side has shunned all our peace overtures,” he said, adding that Pakistan was exercising utmost restraint and responsibility.

Aziz, however, hoped that the Indian side would give peace a chance. “Ceasefire at the LoC and the working boundary must be preserved in the larger interest of the region and the people of the two countries.”

He said Pakistan had often called for making full use of the available channels, like hotline between director general military operations (DGMOs) and sector commanders’ meetings. “But unfortunately, all our efforts to secure peace and tranquility on the LoC and the boundary have elicited no cooperation from the Indian side.”

He said United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) must also be enabled to play its due role in monitoring ceasefire to secure peace and tranquility.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2014.