Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has welcomed the Pakistan-India ceasefire and offered condolences over the loss of innocent lives in a conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, read a Foreign Office statement.

FM Wong,“ welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India and expressed hope it would lead to lasting peace,“ it added.

She also expressed concern over the situation and conveyed condolences over the loss of innocent lives, including those in the Jaffar Express attack.

“Deputy PM Dar informed [her] that Pakistan had shown restraint throughout the crisis and only exercised its right to self-defence, in line with the UN Charter and international law,” the statement said.

“Pakistan would continue to work in a responsible manner for maintaining regional peace and security,” the statement quoted him as saying.