National News

ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT+APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
on Tuesday urged the United Nations to take notice of the frequent
ceasefire violations by India on Line of Control (LoC) with
Pakistan.
Chairing a meeting on the deteriorating situation at LoC, the
Prime Minister said deliberate escalation of tension at LoC by
Indian forces was a “threat to regional peace and security”.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of the recent unprovoked
Indian firing at LoC that resulted in the martyrdom of seven
Pakistani soldiers in Bhimber.
Expressing profound grief and extending heartfelt condolences
to the families of the martyrs, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was
exercising maximum restraint in the face of Indian violence, which
should not be misunderstood as its weakness.
“Pakistan cannot be bullied by such tactics as we are fully
capable of defending our soil against any belligerence,” the Prime
Minister said.
He emphasized that Pakistani armed forces did not initiate
fire, however “would always respond in a befitting manner to any
aggression”.
The Prime Minister termed the unprovoked firing incidents
as “futile attempt of the Indian authorities to divert the world’s
attention from their worst kind of atrocities against defenceless
and innocent people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz
briefed the Prime Minister on the situation at LoC and the response
of the government following the latest firing incidents.
He also apprised the Prime Minister on the increased frequency
of indiscriminate firing and shelling from the Indian side targeting
civilian population.
The Adviser said the recent incidents of firing by the Indian
forces had resulted in the martyrdom of 26 civilians and injuries to
107, including women and children, in complete violation of the 2003
Ceasefire Understanding and International law.
The Prime Minister was also briefed on Pak-US relations in the
backdrop of recently held presidential elections in the United
States.
He said Pakistan and US enjoyed strong and strategic
partnership spanning over a period of seven decades.
“Pakistan looks forward to closely work with the newly elected
government for realization of peace, security and prosperity in the
region and beyond,” said the Prime Minister.
National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua,
PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and senior
government officials attended the meeting.