“Pakistan shall not abandon its political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmir cause at any cost,” the adviser said, while speaking at the concluding session of a two-day conference organised by Jinnah Institute.
He also warned that any unilateral efforts by India to alter the status of Kashmir will further compound the already complicated situation.
“Unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling from across the Line of Control and Working Boundary, with Indian leadership threatening disproportionate use of force, portend India’s dangerous desire to create a space for war,” he said.
Aziz said India’s decision to abandon the path of dialogue with Pakistan and adoption of a hostile posture, bilaterally and regionally, has created a new level of uncertainty.
“The cancellation of foreign secretary-level talks by India on the pretext of Pakistan high commissioner’s meeting with Kashmiri leaders was found unconvincing worldwide,” he added.
“The international community recognises that Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts must be strengthened, and not impeded,” he said, “but India has other ideas.”
Consistent with the perspective of cooperation, Pakistan is committed to building cooperative and good-neighbourly relations with India, but on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality, he said.
Aziz said the prospect of enhanced economic cooperation has been a victim of the prevailing tensions.
“We will not get drawn into any arms race, but will ensure maintenance of a credible deterrent capability,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2015.
COMMENTS (9)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
The power crisis, oil crisis has one solution. But punjabi ego prevents it from implementation. Transmission lines from j@k can supply power to Pok. Bhatinda refinery of indian oil can supply required diesel, petrol, furnace oil, . It is 100 km from Wagah. Payment can be done on delayed terms. 500 Mw can be supplied from northern grid to punjab. India is not asking for permanent contract. At least for time being. If economy is good, goonda gangs will reduce, those wanting to create nuisance in India. Finally it is the punjabi ego.
Difficult to understand. Pakistan fought kargil, 1965 war without any logic. After support of terrorism and wars Pakistan PM says he wants plebiscite now based on UN resolution. In UN Pakistan says it doesn't want plebiscite and refuse to move army allowing Plebiscite. Army doesn't want to give Kashmir and said it is jugular vein. Pakistan has the ball of the Kashmir issue, either allow plebiscite or fight to make LOC as international border. Looks like both the countries will be under pressure to resolve the Kashmir Issue very soon.
Is Sartaj Aziz's position in Pakistan's hierarchy shaky? The way he is going around trying to make himself heard indicates that unless he can show his nuisance value - he may be gone.
Looking at the spate of comments from this man, it seems that something is brewing. Today the JuD has finally been outlawed. Pakistan has finally realised that status quo suits India just fine. India has decided to just ignore Pakistan and go about its development agenda while Pakistan is stuck in a quagmire of its own making. Internationally it stands pretty much isolated in diplomatic terms. Meanwhile, India's international profile keeps improving.
My prediction - Pakistan is going to climb down from its stand that they would hold talks with Hurriyat separatist leaders prior to talks with India. Expect some forward movement.
India is doing this, india is doing that ... Kashmir dispute ... Pakistan has always done this, pakistan has always done that ... Kashmir dispute ... The Kashmiri people this, the kashmiri people that ... Kashmir dispute ... Shimla agreement this, shimla agreement that ... Kashmir dispute ... UN resolutions this, UN resolutions that ... Kashmir dispute ... Self determination this, self determination that ... Kashmir dispute ... Modi is this, modi is that ... Kashmir dispute ... BJP(RSS) is this, BJP(RSS) is that Kashmir dispute ... The international community must do this, the international community must do that ... Kashmir dispute ... India is doing this, india is doing that ... Kashmir dispute ... . . .
A nation that cannot control half of its territory, is rife with religious fundamentalism, has just lost more than a hundred children in a terror attack, is embroiled in a civil war of sorts, and in the midst of one its biggest energy crisis has time to take any stand on any matter is itself ludicrous. Get another job Mr. Aziz, no body listens to you or to Pakistanis in general anymore.
"He also warned that any unilateral efforts by India to alter the status of Kashmir will further compound the already complicated situation."
What is the status of Azadi in "AJK"? Principled stance? All the while when a "lent officer" to AJK from Pindi has more powers than "President" of AJK.
Principled Stance? Pakistanis just take a stance, but not a principled one though. Just look back to 1971, 1974, 1984, and see how "principled" were the stances that it took.
India will also give a principled support to Baluchistan and Sindh .. to begin with