Islamabad: Pakistan Tuesday said it is “sad” that India “has not been able to restrain its forces despite strong diplomatic protest by Pakistan” and called upon the Indian government to immediately cease the firing and shelling on the border and maintain peace.
In a statement, Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “has been exercising utmost restraint and responsibility”.
“We also extended a hand of friendship to India. However, with the abrupt cancellation of foreign secretary-level talks, the Indian side has shunned all our peace overtures. We hope that the Indian side would give peace a chance,” he said.
“Ceasefire at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary must be preserved in the larger interest of the region and the people of the two countries,” he said, adding that Pakistan has “often called for making full use of the channels available” like hotline between Directors General of Military Operations and Sector Commanders’ meetings.
However, it said: “Unfortunately, all our efforts to secure peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control and the Work Boundary have elicited no cooperation from the Indian side. UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) must also be enabled to play its due role in monitoring ceasefire to secure peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control and Working Boundary.”
Pakistan lodged “a strong protest” with the Indian government Monday over “unprovoked firing” and alleged violation of the ceasefire by Indian security forces leading to the death of four civilians. (IANS)
