Pak accuses India of putting regional peace at stake
Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain
Islamabad, Mar 23 : Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain today accused India of ceasefire violations and human rights abuses, saying New Delhi’s actions have put regional peace at stake.
He also talked about the Kashmir issue at the “Pakistan Day” joint military parade here.
Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the famous Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India. On this day in 1956, Pakistan became the world’s first Islamic republic.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was the ‘Guest of Honour’. He was received by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the parade ground here.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh was also seen seated among the foreign diplomats invited to witness the parade.
Referring to “cross-border ceasefire violations”, President Mamnoon accused India of gross human rights violations in Kashmir.
“With these actions, Pakistan’s neighbour has put the regional peace at stake,” he said.
Calling for an immediate and peaceful resolution of the “struggle of Kashmiri people”, the President said, “The only solution to the dispute of Kashmir is to provide the right of self-determination to Kashmiris, and Pakistan will continue to play its role in this regard.”
He said that Pakistan was ready to extend a hand of co-operation to the regional countries, but “taking it as a weakness will be a dangerous mistake”.
He also said that the global scenario has changed, and now countries could not be coerced to tow the line of one particular country.
Cautioning against exploitation, suppression of nations and interference into the internal affairs of any country by another nation, he said “Pakistan’s foreign policy was about achieving permanent peace in the world and is based on non-interference into internal issues of other countries”.
He said that Pakistan had been playing a vital role for the global peace and rendering commendable services from the UN platform for it.
On the issue of Afghanistan, Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan would continue playing its role for peaceful resolution of the Afghan issue.
“Pakistan had always played a historic role in the peaceful settlement of Afghan issue and for the stability of the Afghanistan government.”
He also stressed that efforts to curb terrorism should continue so that achievements made so far could be further strengthened.
Meanwhile, Abbasi, in his message, said that “We cannot succeed without upholding the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.”
The special performance by the Jordan military band was the highlight of the day in which troops from Turkey and UAE also participated.
Contingents from the Pakistan’s Army, Air Force, Navy, Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers participated in a march-past.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past as a salute to the president and later joined the guests at the parade ground.
The other who witnessed the event include Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khurrum Dastagir, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Navy Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee Zubair Mehmood Hayat.
Pakistan Day parade resumed in 2015 after a gap of seven years. It was suspended due to threat of militancy.
Earlier, the day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Security was on high alert in the capital and mobile phone services remained suspended. Around 2,000 military and police personnel were deployed.
Outstanding issues with India can be resolved through dialogue: Pak Envoy
New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) All outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, including Kashmir, can be resolved through dialogue, which will usher in an “era of peace and stability” in South Asia, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood said today.
Mahmood said Pakistan has sought peaceful and good neighbourly relations with all countries in South Asia including India.
Talking to reporters after hoisting his country’s flag to mark Pakistan’s National Day at the Pakistan High Commission, the envoy said he hoped there would be space for diplomacy and efforts to begin dialogue which helps the two countries resolve their differences and a move towards bilateral relations.
“In the context of foreign relations especially in South Asia, Pakistan continues to follow the policy of peaceful neighbourhood and in that context, Pakistan has sought peaceful and good neighbourly relations with all countries in South Asia including India,” he said.
He said that Pakistan seeks such relation on the basis of the equality and mutual respect.
“We have always sought solution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue and we believe that all outstanding issues including Kashmir if they are resolved through dialogue, it will usher in an era of peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia,” the Pakistani envoy said.
He also said the 2018 marks 70 years of India and Pakistan after Independence in 1947, and it is important to reflect how the last 70 years have gone and resolve that the next 70 years would be different.
At the Pakistan High Commission, various cultural programmes were organised to mark Pakistan National Day.
