ISLAMABAD: Pakistan suspects India is planning new bunkers near the Working Boundary in violation of a 2010 agreement that bars fresh construction in close proximity to the boundary.
“Over the past few days Indians have tried to move construction material close to the Working Boundary. This could be for making new bunkers,” a military official told Dawn.
Heavy exchange of fire along the Working Boundary is believed to have prevented them from beginning the construction work.
The activity is said to have taken place in Charwah and Chaprar sectors of the 190km Working Boundary. The two sectors have witnessed some of the most intense engagement over the past few days.
On Thursday, Indians twice shelled civilian population in the Charwah sector, according to the ISPR.
Pakistan and India had in 2010 signed an agreement that no construction would be undertaken within 500 metres of the Working Boundary.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told a weekly media briefing that attempts to build new bunkers were in violation of the accord and Pakistan would not allow the construction.
She said Pakistan’s response to the unprovoked Indian aggression was measured to prevent harm to Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control and Working Boundary.
“We do it carefully because on the other side of the LoC and the Working Boundary there is Indian occupied Kashmir and Kashmiris are our own brothers and sisters. We want no harm to them,” she said.
IRAN: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Ibrahim Rahimpour will visit Pakistan next week for “bilateral consultations” with Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry.
The visit is taking place against the backdrop of clashes on Pakistan-Iran border last week, which renewed friction in relations.
The FO spokesperson said the visit was planned before the border incident, but the issue would be discussed at the meeting.
“The visit will reaffirm the commitment of both countries to resolve these minor irritants and strengthen the relationship,” she added.
The two sides are looking at improving their border coordination mechanism to prevent such occurrences in future.
Nomination of focal persons for coordination on border incidents is being considered.
About the reasons behind the flare-up on the border, Ms Aslam said: “You have to understand that we have a border with Iran which is long and not always manned.”
SAARC INVITATION: Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Panday has delivered to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif invitation for the 18th Saarc Summit from Prime Minister Sushil Koiralato.
Ms Aslam said the prime minister is likely to attend the summit on Nov 26-27.
Prime Minister Sharif had during a meeting with the Nepalese foreign minister said Pakistan was particularly keen to promote Saarc activities in partnership with Nepal.
Resolution of disputes among Saarc countries was important for the organisation’s progress and Nepal could play its due role in this regard, he added.
The prime minster is also likely to visit China next month for attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Dialogue to which he has been invited.
PROTEST: Media personnel attended the FO briefing wearing black armbands in protest against the killing of journalists in the country.
About 113 journalists and media workers have been killed over the past seven years. Thirteen journalists have been killed this year, including two in Hafizabad district earlier this month.
“We are going through a phase where we have witnessed violence. More than 55,000 Pakistanis have been martyred but there is a resolve in this country, in our institutions and among our people that we will not accept violence whether it is against minorities, any professional group or any section of society,” Ms Aslam said.
“We condemn attacks on media. We would like to see all of you safe and sound and working in a healthy, safe and secure environment,” she added.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014
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