A file photo of Line of Control between Pakistan and India. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistan on Tuesday summoned a senior Indian diplomat to lodge a strong protest over the latest ceasefire violation by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) that claimed the life of a woman.
“The Indian deputy high commissioner was called in the Foreign Office by the director general (SA & Saarc) to lodge a protest with the government of India over the killing of Fareeda, 28-year old, resident of village Nadheri, district Kotli, who was shot in her belly by Indian troops at the LoC in Jandrot Sector on August 8 at 2345 hours,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The woman succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday. “The government of Pakistan offers its heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the bereaved family,” it added.
Pakistan also condemned the latest ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violations at the LoC in Nakial Sector near Kotli and Bhimber Gali Sector on August 9, when the Indian forces targeted the Pakistani posts. Giving details, the Foreign Office claimed that the Indian forces committed 37 and 24 unprovoked ceasefire violations of the LoC and the working boundary (WB) in July and August, respectively.
“The government of Pakistan expressed its deep concern at the continuous unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian side at the LoC and the WB and urged India to stop forthwith ceasefire violations and observe the 2003 ceasefire understanding to create peace and tranquility,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilluah.
There has been a sudden spike in border skirmishes in recent months despite a meeting between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India in the Russian city of Ufa last month to lower tensions between the two hostile neighbours.
Both sides accuse each other of initiating hostilities. Despite the rising tensions, India last week proposed talks between the national security advisers of the two countries in New Delhi. The prime minister’s top aide on foreign affairs and national security said earlier this week that Pakistan would accept the Indian invitation for the meeting and would also propose the agenda.
“We will send them our agenda along with the confirmation of the dates so that there is no misunderstanding about what has to be discussed,” Sartaj Aziz told reporters. “We have concerns about Indian interference,” Aziz said. Islamabad would press for a discussion on Indian involvement in unrest in Balochistan, Karachi and tribal areas.
Islamabad alleges New Delhi was trying to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor by stoking unrest in Balochistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly voiced concerns over the multibillion-dollar project, while his country’s high commissioner in Islamabad reiterated these concerns saying the road and rail network passed through Pakistani Kashmir.
“India had also lodged protests against the construction of Karakuram Highway for the same reasons,” Dr TCA Raghavan said while talking to reporters in Lahore. “The Indian civil society is also supporting their government on this issue.” Asked about India’s alleged involvement in unrest in Karachi and Balochistan, Raghavan said no one ever shared proofs with his country. “It is mere media hype,” he claimed.
To another question about the Indus Water Treaty and ceasefire violations by India, Raghavan said lack of technical knowledge about these treaties caused problems in understanding the matter. “It requires the political leadership [on both sides of the border] a great deal of confidence to implement the treaties in letter and spirit,” he added.
The Indian envoy did not agree that his country’s government and media adopted a coercive policy vis-à-vis Pakistan. He said the Indian government could not interfere in the media affairs. “If someone does not like a particular TV channel, he should simply switch to another.”
Raghavan agreed the longstanding Kashmir dispute was the core issue between Pakistan and India. “Both sides consider each other enemy of Kashmir,” he said, adding that the political leadership in Islamabad and New Delhi should sit together to resolve all outstanding issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2015.
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