Indian LoC violation: UN chief reassures Pakistan of ‘complete support’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has continued its diplomatic efforts to highlight Indian aggression and took the international community into confidence following India’s violation of the country’s airspace early Tuesday morning.

Qureshi spoke to UN chief Antonio Guterres on the phone on Wednesday and discussed the regional situation following India’s violation of Pakistani airspace on Tuesday.

“We had concerns that the Indian government would try to disrupt regional peace to achieve political gains,” said FM Qureshi, adding that we have kept the international community informed about out reservations and concerns.

Qureshi also gave reference of his two letters to the UN chief on the matter.

“India’s act of aggression is a violation of UN charter and international diplomatic laws.”

The UN chief has reassured Pakistan of its complete support and cooperation.

Earlier, FM Qureshi in a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres invited his attention towards the deteriorating security situation in the region in the wake of violation of Pakistan’s airspace by India, Radio Pakistan reported.

This aggressive act by India has severe repercussions for the regional peace and security, said Qureshi, and added that, “The Indian government is issuing threatening statements in the aftermath of Pulwama incident on the pretext of terrorism, in order to divert the world opinion from its grave human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.”

FM Qureshi categorically stated that Pakistan reserves the right to take an appropriate action in self-defence.

The foreign minister also briefed the members of the diplomatic corps about the Indian violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in Islamabad.

He also informed the diplomatic corps that at approximately 0254 hours, 6-8 Indian Air Force (IAF) jets were effectively intercepted by Pakistani Air Force (PAF) Jets and forced to scuttle back. “The IAF randomly releasing their ordnance which landed in an uninhabited remote area,” the foreign minister informed.

FM Qureshi strongly refuted the Indian purported claims of having targeted a large terrorist camp and resultant causalities. “It’s completely absurd and is based on a false narrative designed to placate the Indian domestic audience.”

FM Qureshi also wrote a letter to the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries Dr Yousuf bin Ahmed.

Qureshi, referring to his letter from February 24, highlighted the Indian violation of the LoC and threat it posed to regional stability.

“IAF jets violated the Pakistani airspace by entering from the Muzaffarabad sector, they were faced by the Pakistani air force and were forced to return.”

The Indian act of aggression is a violation of international laws and is an act of misadventure.

Pakistan reserves the right to respond in order to defend itself, the foreign minister stated in the letter.

Qureshi also highlighted the secretary general to reconsider the invitation given by the UAE to Indian minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to attend the OIC meeting on March 1 as a special guest, saying that Pakistan would have to reconsider its stance regarding the summit, and asked the secretary general to review this situation.R

Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Maleeha Lodhi has also spread the country’s stance at the UN loud and clear, and said that, “as a target of aggression, Pakistan will respond to India at a time and place of its choosing,” Radio Pakistan reported.

Ambassador Lodhi held a series of intense meetings with key diplomats and UN officials following India’s blatant violations of the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian war planes that worsened the already dangerous situation between the two countries.

She also gave interviews to representatives of international media.

“We will not sit back,” she told BBC radio when asked whether Pakistan will respond to India’s attack.

Ambassador Lodhi said that following the February 14 Pulwama attack in IoK, “Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered investigation if ‘actionable’ evidence was provided but none was forthcoming.

The prime minister also proposed discussions and dialogue, but regrettably India responded by launching an attack on Pakistan in violation of UN Charter and international law, posing a threat to international peace and security.

“This is not how countries act when responding to challenges,” the Pakistani envoy said.

Source: The Express Tribune