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ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: President General Pervez Musharraf held telephonic conversation with the leaders of various countries, including Muslim states, who expressed their concern over the massive Indian military build-up across the Pakistani border, a senior official told Dawn here on Tuesday.
The leaders noted that deployment of troops by the Indian government had created tension between the two nuclear neighbours, but commended the way Pakistan handled the situation by showing restraint and patience, he said.
When contacted, Secretary Information Anwar Mahmood said President Musharraf had telephonic conversation with Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair and Sri Lankan President, who exchanged with him views about the latest border situation. The Saudi crown prince also stressed that peace be maintained at all costs in the region.
Mr Mahmood quoted him as saying that Saudi Arabia was suggesting from the day one that both India and Pakistan should resolve their differences through dialogue by exercising maximum restraint.
He said the president also had telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Harary on Monday evening.
The president apprised them of the latest border situation.
APP ADDS: Maintaining strong diplomatic initiative, President Musharraf continued to remain in close contact with the world leaders, discussing the tense border situation and the matter of deescalation.
The president reiterated that Pakistan, as a responsible state, remained committed to peaceful resolution of issues, and had been using restraint despite massive Indian deployment on its international border and the Line of Control.
The world leaders praised Pakistan’s principled and committed approach and for demonstrating utmost restraint.
The world leaders said in their contacts with India they were impressing upon the Indian leadership the imperative need for restraint, dialogue and peaceful resolution of matters.
King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Musharraf had a telephonic conversation late Monday evening during which the prevailing situation in the wake of massive military deployment by India was discussed.
King Abdullah stressed the need for initiation of serious efforts for resumption of dialogue by India and Pakistan to find peaceful resolution of differences.
