Foreign Secretary briefs Head of Missions of P5 countries on recent escalation of ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control/Working Boundary

(2017-10-12) The Heads of Missions of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council in Islamabad (China, France, Russian Federation, UK and USA) were briefed today by the Foreign Secretary and the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation Forces on the LoC and the Working Boundary, especially in the past two months.

The Foreign Secretary in her introductory remarks stressed the unprecedented escalation by Indian occupation forces at the LoC and the Working Boundary in 2017. She expressed grave concern over the increased frequency and duration of indiscriminate firing/shelling from the Indian side, deliberately targeting villages and civilian populated areas, resulting in Shahadat of 45 civilians and injuries to 155, including women and children, in the year 2017 to date, in complete disregard of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and of International Law.

Pakistan had displayed exemplary restraint but has been compelled to respond. Indian actions are a serious threat for the maintenance of regional peace and tranquility and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.

While emphasizing the important role of the United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOGIP) which has the mandate for maintaining peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary, the Foreign Secretary noted that Pakistan is fully cooperating and providing unfettered access to UNMOGIP. However, India is not cooperative and limits their access. Pakistan maintains that India should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role in line with the UNSC resolutions to ensure peace at the LoC and the Working Boundary..

The situation is further aggravated by recent provocative and irresponsible statements from India about the so called Surgical Strike and their open declaration to repeat them, which is a clear manifestation of Indian aggression against Pakistan.

Director General Military Operations made a comprehensive presentation on the current situation at the LoC and the Working Boundary.

In response, the Heads of Missions assured that they would convey Pakistan’s concern to their respective capitals.

Islamabad
12 October 2017

350/2017