India trying to construct bunkers on working boundary in violation of agreement: FO

Prime minister likely to attend the SAARC summit to be held between November 26 and 27

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday claimed that India was trying to construct new bunkers along the working boundary in violation of an agreement and asserted that it would allow the neighbouring country to do so, Radio Pakistan reported.

“According to the agreement on the working boundary, India and Pakistan cannot carryout constructions within 500 metres of the boundary,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam during her weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

She further reiterated that India was targeting the civilian population on the Line of Control and working boundary in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Pakistan has highlighted the issue of ‘unprovoked’ Indian firing on LoC and working boundary at the United Nations and other fora, she added.

“UN has the responsibility to make UNMOGIP more effective to deal with the ceasefire violations,” she affirmed.

“On the other side of the Line of Control, are our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, that's why Pakistan has always given measured response to Indian unprovoked firing and shelling on the civilians on Pakistani side,” the spokesperson said.

Aslam further said that violent incidents with Iran are not similar to those with India.

“Pakistan's disputes with India are on fundamental issues, which need to be resolved through negotiations.”

Regarding Iran, Aslam said Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong multifaceted relations.

“Pakistan has a long border with Iran, which both the countries want to monitor in an effective manner to avoid violence.”

Referring to the recent meeting between Pakistani and Iranian border forces' chiefs that took place in Tehran, Aslam said the officials deliberated on different ways to improve border surveillance so that irritants could be removed.

Shifting her focus to Afghanistan, Aslam said the Afghan president would visit Islamabad.

Referring to the prime minister's foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz’s visit to Afghanistan to extend a formal invitation to the new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, she said, “Sartaj Aziz's meeting with new Afghan leadership remained very positive. Both countries have a strong desire to transform their partnership into economic relations."

“There are many areas which can be tapped to further our ties. There is a thought of connecting Central Asia with Pakistan through Kabul and recently CASA-1000 agreement is a major step forward. Both countries are focusing on these lines to transform their partnership, which is healthy sign.”

Regarding Afghan reconciliation, she reiterated Pakistan's stance that it is ready to extend all possible support to Kabul in an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process.

“Pakistan is not supporting any single group in Afghanistan,” the spokesperson asserted.

Responding to a question pertaining to Russia, Aslam said, “Our ties are moving in an upward trajectory.”

“Both countries, under strategic dialogue, hold meetings time and again to discuss all areas, including trade and investment, security and other regional issues,” she added

Furthermore, Aslam said Malala Yousafzai who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize can visit her homeland whenever she wants to.

PM to attend SAARC summit

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to attend the SAARC summit to be held between November 26 and 27.

The summit will be preceded by the Council of Ministers meeting and the senior officials meeting.

Responding to a question on whether there was any chance of meeting Nawaz and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit, the spokesperson said no readout have been given out for any bilateral meeting that will take place.