Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Briefs P-5 Ambassadors on LoC situation

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz briefed the Ambassadors of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council today on the situation prevailing on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary.

The Adviser outlined Prime Minister’s vision of a peaceful South Asian region and his positive overtures to the Indian government since coming to power in May 2013, including reaching out to Prime Minister Modi. He expressed his disappointment at the fact that first the Foreign Secretary-level talks, scheduled for 25th August, were cancelled, and later, India resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling on the LoC and the Working Boundary resulting in many civilian casualties, injuries, and extensive damage to property. He expressed his concern that the ceasefire violations by India and the provocative statements by Indian leadership were not only a setback to peace efforts but also a distraction from Pakistan’s counter-terrorism commitments in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

The Adviser informed the P-5 Ambassadors about his letter to the United Nations Secretary General in which he had called upon the UN to play its due role towards defusing the prevailing situation, and monitoring of the ceasefire violations by the UNMOGIP, which possessed both the mandate and the infrastructure to play its important role. He also called upon the P-5 countries to urge India to respect the ceasefire agreement and engage in a meaningful and serious dialogue.

The Foreign Secretary also attended the briefing.

October 13, 2014
Islamabad