ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Friday that Pakistan will not accept India’s hegemony on the border and will reply “befittingly” to India’s violation of ceasefire.
Echoing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s earlier statements, Nisar upheld that peace is the only way to maintain cordial relationships between the two neighbouring countries.
“Dialogue is the only way for peace,” he said, while addressing the media in Islamabad.
Referring to the National Security Committee meeting held earlier today, Nisar said top military officials had informed him that the India’s Border Security Force had been using heavy ammunition, unlike previous instances of ceasefire violations.
Refuting Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley’s claims that Pakistan initiated firing, Nisar clarified that Pakistani forces have no reason to engage in this 'adventurism' when troops are fighting a war against militants in North Waziristan.
He further added that the nation was celebrating Eidul Azha when Indian forces killed at least 12 civilians living along the Line of Control and the working boundary due to “unprovoked” firing.
“We don’t need this adventure,” the interior minister asserted, adding that India and Pakistan are both nuclear states and should act responsibly.
The interior ministry further clarified that Pakistan Army is capable of fighting local and foreign enemies and will ensure the safety of the country.
"Kashmir is the reason for the dispute and recent escalation of border clashes," Nisar said, adding that Pakistan has been actively working towards peace with its neighbour.
“Pakistan has taken positive steps to improve relations with India,” the interior minister said referring to PM Nawaz’s visit to New Delhi in May to attend his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
“The entire nation was hopeful that this gesture will bring peace in the two counties,” he added.
However, Nisar regretfully said that despite Pakistan’s positive steps towards peace with India were not reciprocated.
“India cancelled foreign secretary-level bilateral talks on a baseless reason. Meeting with Hurriyat leaders is routine and not uncommon,” Nisar said, referring to India's reason for the cancellation of talks which were scheduled for August 25.
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ADVENTURISM FROM ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF SUCH TENSE SITUATIONS. I BELIEVE THIS TIME INDIAN SIDE HAS FALLEN PREY OF ADVENTURISM. BOTH THE COUNTRIES SHOULD SINCERELY TRY TO RESOLVE THE KASHMIR ISSUE THROUGH DIALOGUE.
All Media channels and newpapers have been showing that Pakistan army has been violating cease fire from last two weeks at the border and till now more than 30 lives have already been lost. Finally Indian govt had to give permission to the Army to reply back. Now this Pakistan paper says India started it.. India has never started a war on its own and will never do
Nice try Nisar, to call "Kashmir" the reason for the cross border firing. Even if Indian and Pakisgtani fight in Texas over a simple brawl you will say "Kashmir is the cause".....clap clap.
Respected Mr. Interior Minister, the path to peace goes through Pindi. Hence all these well meaning advises should be directed towards the origin of the problem- your GHQ. I am sure the moment Pindi wants, the firings at India will stop and in consequence to that, Indian guns will fall silent. You may also explain to them PM Sharif's experience at the UN this year. He must have felt very lonely out there. The best way to overcome isolation is to behave as civilized nations do.
Borders don't have a hegemon. It's just an demarcation drawn on a map separating two nations, and each side excercises control over it's side of border.
The problem has arisen because one of the side refuses to accept the Border & LOC and keeps trying to revise it - through force & proxies.
Nisar saheb..we were also hopeful when Atal ji visited Lahore in bus and then what happened the world knows. Anyway...whatsoever.....since borders are silent now, and world is looking at Malala & Kailash.....lets talk peace......
So Modi started this to win by election ?