Briefing to the Diplomatic Corps in Islamabad on Prevailing Situation on LoC and the Working Boundary

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed today the entire Diplomatic Corps based in Islamabad on the situation arising from the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB) by the Indian Armed Forces.

The briefing included a detailed presentation by a senior representative of the Military Operations Directorate to explain the situation on-ground, the frequency and intensity of the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling by the Indian security forces since September 30, 2014, and details of civilian casualties, injuries and damage to property. He also informed that efforts towards restoring peace and tranquility on the LoC and the WB through available means of communications were not responded to by the Indian side. On a few occasions of sector-level hotline contacts, the Indian side refused to acknowledge that its troops were firing, despite intense shelling on the civilian population in Pakistan, taking place at that time.

In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mr. Tariq Fatemi reiterated the policy of the Government of Pakistan for establishing good-neighbourly relations with India. Referring to the positive overtures of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the previous and present Indian governments, he said that early restoration of peace and tranquility on the LoC and the WB was of paramount importance to the region.

Mr. Fatemi expressed Government’s deep concern that the Indian ceasefire violations were increasingly targeting Pakistani territory across the Working Boundary. In the face of adversity, the people of Pakistan stood united with the Government and Armed Forces of Pakistan to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. There would be no compromise on the country’s core interests, the Special Assistant emphasized.

In the context of the long outstanding dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, he referred to the United Nations Secretary General’s repeated statements that UN Resolutions do not fade away with the passage of time. He underlined that the credibility of the UN system was at stake if its resolutions remained unimplemented as all member countries look up to this sole international body, to address issues relating to peace and stability.

The Special Assistant reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on the Kashmir dispute and that it will maintain its steadfast support till the resolution of the issue, in accordance with the UN Resolutions ensuring the right of the Kashmiris to self-determination, through an impartial plebiscite.

The Foreign Secretary in his comments highlighted the outcome of the NSC meeting, which he said, deliberated on the crisis created by India’s ceasefire violations. The NSC while expressing Pakistan’s resolve to exercise restraint and show responsibility, underlined determination to protect the country against any threat to its territorial integrity.

The Special Assistant urged the Diplomatic Corps to brief their capitals on the prevailing situation and to impress upon India the urgent need to stop ceasefire violations, eschew provocative statements leading to war hysteria, and engage in a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, to resolve all outstanding issues through a sustained dialogue process.

Islamabad
14 October, 2014

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