Pakistan declares ceasefire along LoC unilaterally: Willing to reopen Khokhrapar route, start Srinagar bus service and revive air links: PM’s address to nation
By Rafaqat Ali
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali announced on Sunday a unilateral ceasefire along the Line of Control and expressed his willingness to start a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, ferry service from Mumbai to Karachi, and to revive air links and open Khokhrapar-Munabao route.
In his address to the nation on completion of the first year of his government, Prime Minister Jamali said: “Our armed forces deployed on the LoC have been ordered to observe a complete ceasefire with effect from Eid day.”
“We expect India would give a positive response because without this our action will remain incomplete.”
Mr Jamali said Pakistan was ready to start a bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, but added that Pakistan considered Jammu and Kashmir a disputed territory in accordance with the UN resolutions. “And also that the Line of Control in Kashmir is a temporary line.”
The prime minister said Pakistan was ready for talks on the reopening of Khokhrapar-Munabao route. The route was closed since the 1965 war. “We are ready to discuss the route and reopen it.”
Mr Jamali invited India to initiate talks on the bus service and proposed introduction of a bus service between Lahore and Amritsar.
To facilitate issuance of visas, the prime minister proposed that after a mutual agreement the high commissions of Pakistan and India should examine the possibilities for the setting up of visa offices.
He said Pakistan supported revival of air links between the two countries and added that talks between the civil aviation officials in this regard were important.
“We hope that during these negotiations Lahore-Delhi, Karachi-Mumbai and Karachi-Delhi air links will be restored.”
Pakistan has already announced that people over 65 years of age can cross Wagah border on foot, the prime minister said. “A notification to this effect has been issued. Giving a positive response, we propose an additional bus service between Delhi and Lahore.”
Mr Jamali reiterated Pakistan’s proposal for the revival of train links. “We want that a decision about it should be taken by the end of this year.”
The prime minister said Pakistan was ready for talks for the start of a ferry service between Karachi and Mumbai.
He proposed that the interior ministries of both the countries should work out a mechanism for the release of prisoners, particularly those who had completed their term of imprisonment but were still behind bars. He hoped that India would release such prisoners before Eid.
Mr Jamali asked India to try to find a solution of all problems through political and diplomatic channels and not through media. “To improve the atmosphere is also a good objective, but it is not an alternative for a comprehensive and integrated dialogue.”
The prime minister said the one-year performance of his government was enough to prove his critics wrong who had doubts about the survival of his government.
Criticizing leaders of extremist organizations, Mr Jamali asked: “I venture to ask one question: Have they ever pronounced jihad against poverty, illiteracy, diseases and social disparities.”
The prime minister said his coalition government was facing some difficulties but he was endeavouring to resolve them through negotiations. “On this occasion, I also thank my coalition partners, who realized the gravity of the situation and cooperated with us in the national interest and for rebuilding Pakistan.”
The prime minister claimed that his government had done away with the politics of victimization. However, in an oblique reference to the arrest of PML-N leader Javed Hashmi, he added: “I want to make it clear that it does not mean that a license has been issued to violate the law or denigrate sensitive institutions of the country. My oath binds me to take notice of all such incidents and take action in accordance with the law.”
Mr Jamali said Pakistan was not oblivious of its defence. “While we have been continuously extending a hand of friendship to India, we have paid full attention to our defence as well. Nobody should have any illusion that we have gone too far in our quest for friendship and have forgotten our security.”
