LAHORE: PML-N President and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif has condemned the besieging of Pakistan’s High Commission Office by Indian police and unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), besides the attack of Indian troops on Chinese personnel after territorial violation at Laddakh border.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Shahbaz said the United Nations and its Security Council should stop acting as a silent spectator over India’s irresponsible,aggressive and jingoistic actions that were destabilising the region and threatening its peace and security.

He suggested that all the peaceful and progressive countries of the region should form a separate alliance sans India. “The world is busy fighting the new coronavirus while India is obsessed with and consumed by its jingoistic aspirations. The condemnable attack on Chinese troops is part of the Indian plan to destabilise the region. These actions are motivated by India’s prejudice against China for its successful policy of collective prosperity. Right from the start of CPEC, India started conspiring to find ways to stop the project in its tracks,” he said.

The opposition leader pointed out that the tyranny, oppression and bloodshed in India-held Kashmir, unprovoked aggression along the LoC and attack on the Chinese forces after violating the sovereignty of the country (China), were undeniable proofs of India’s belligerence.

He said the people of Pakistan supported China from the core of their heart and were ready to help it against any foreign aggression.

Sharif said besieging and threatening staff of Pakistani High Commission reflected the shallow, cowardly and extremist face of India.

“Narendra Modi should focus on fighting coronavirus instead of fighting with all its [India’s] neighbours,” he said and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation in Bagsar Sector resulting in injuries to a Pakistani civilian.

He warned that Modi’s desire to set others houses on fire would surely burn his own.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2020