Principled stance: Aziz reiterates support to Kashmir cause

Says unprovoked firing at LoC reflects India’s desire to create space for war

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz has made it clear that Pakistan will continue its support for Kashmir cause and will build relations with India on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality.

“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 22^nd, 2015.