Pakistan on Wednesday lodged strong protest with India over the ceasefire violations and urged Indian government to observe the 2003 Ceasefire Arrangement.A Pakistani soldier was killed when Indian troops resorted to ‘unprovoked firing’ along the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday, while a civilian sustained injures in Rawalakot area after India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday resorted to ‘unprovoked’ firing. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner was summoned by the Director General (South Asia & SAARC) and a protest was lodged over the latest unprovoked ceasefire violations by India along LoC. While condemning the blatant violation of ceasefire agreement by India, Pakistan expressed concerns over the continuous unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian side along LoC and targeting of the civilian areas. The question is: where do we go from here? The Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has made it clear that the onus for calling any fresh meeting to discuss the issue lies with India. He has pointed out that it was New Delhi that called off the scheduled dialogue between the National Security Advisers of both countries a few weeks ago and there has been little direct contact between the two capitals since then. Pakistan says India has made no offer of a dialogue on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting. Things then do not look good, and we are posed with serious questions regarding ways to escape the stalemate we have reached and the animosity that goes with it. Quite clearly, India is in an aggressive mood and not ready to take the steps needed to restore calm. To make matters more complicated, we see a very hawkish stand from the Indian media, which seems to be bent on pushing forward the line that Pakistan is to blame for all incidents occurring on the LoC. This is, of course, not entirely accurate and will only influence public opinion in India against Pakistan. Greater trust and tolerance for the other, if not friendship, need to be developed between both sides if we are to get past differences that have developed over the last many years. There is no other way to foster lasting calm in the region.
pk.shafaqna.com
