SIALKOT - A team of United Nations peacekeeping observers yesterday visited Pakistani villages hit by Indian shelling the other day.
The same day Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan would respond (to aggression) strongly if India did not stop it along the Working Boundary in Sialkot – the border between Pakistan and Jammu area of Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in such skirmishes between the two nuclear neighbours since independence in 1947. Both said the other side had opened fire first.
Nine died near the city of Sialkot in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and more than 40 were wounded by Indian troops firing. India said at least four villagers were killed on its side of Kashmir border by Pakistani fire.
The Saturday’s tour of troubled area in Pakistan by the UN team was the fourth one during the last two months.
The three-member UN team was flanked by local lawmaker Ch Armughan Subhani, AJK Legislative Assembly member Ch Muhammad Ishaq, Gujranwala Commissioner Shamail Ahmed Khawaja, Sialkot DCO Dr Asif Tufail, District Emergency Officer Syed Kamal Abid and media persons.
The observers met with the bereaved families of deceased and assured the villagers of playing their part for permanent peace in the region.
“We are closely observing (the situation) and collecting the evidence,” the team told the villagers. The visiting dignitaries also enquired after the injured at Sialkot CMH.
Also on Saturday during a visit to Sialkot CHM, the defence minister showed the determination to defend the motherland.
“Pakistan will respond with full force if India continues targeting the civilian population. Absolutely we have the right to retaliate, and retaliate in kind, retaliate in full force,” Asif said.
He added, “If India crosses the international border and aggression is committed again, we will defend our homeland and inflict much more damage than 1965.”
The 1965 war between the two countries was fought for over two weeks in September, and on each September 6, the militaries of both states are eulogised.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise the issue of continuing aggression at a UN General Assembly session next month, Asif said.
On the other hand, ex-US envoy to Pakistan Cameron Munter said in Karachi that Pakistan’s concerns over India’s ceasefire violations were legitimate.
Pakistan and India have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region since both gained independence in 1947, and it remains a major source of tension. About a dozen militant groups have been fighting since 1989 for the independence of the Indian-held portion of Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan.
Speaking at a seminar held titled “one belt one road”, Munter said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will elevate Pakistan’s importance in the region.
“Not just Pakistan but the entire region will benefit from the corridor,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s economic future could be very bright if the blueprint for the corridor is executed and managed properly.
“People here have to want to see good governance, to see honest businesses, to see themselves open up to the world.”
When asked about India-Pakistan relations, the former ambassador said, “both countries have an enormous stake in good relations and I hope they realise that the success of one is the success of the other.”
“At this time, I hope that the leaders of both countries can listen to the people who are interested in working together. It is really up to the people of these countries and the business communities to see where their business interests are.
The same day Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan would respond (to aggression) strongly if India did not stop it along the Working Boundary in Sialkot – the border between Pakistan and Jammu area of Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in such skirmishes between the two nuclear neighbours since independence in 1947. Both said the other side had opened fire first.
Nine died near the city of Sialkot in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and more than 40 were wounded by Indian troops firing. India said at least four villagers were killed on its side of Kashmir border by Pakistani fire.
The Saturday’s tour of troubled area in Pakistan by the UN team was the fourth one during the last two months.
The three-member UN team was flanked by local lawmaker Ch Armughan Subhani, AJK Legislative Assembly member Ch Muhammad Ishaq, Gujranwala Commissioner Shamail Ahmed Khawaja, Sialkot DCO Dr Asif Tufail, District Emergency Officer Syed Kamal Abid and media persons.
The observers met with the bereaved families of deceased and assured the villagers of playing their part for permanent peace in the region.
“We are closely observing (the situation) and collecting the evidence,” the team told the villagers. The visiting dignitaries also enquired after the injured at Sialkot CMH.
Also on Saturday during a visit to Sialkot CHM, the defence minister showed the determination to defend the motherland.
“Pakistan will respond with full force if India continues targeting the civilian population. Absolutely we have the right to retaliate, and retaliate in kind, retaliate in full force,” Asif said.
He added, “If India crosses the international border and aggression is committed again, we will defend our homeland and inflict much more damage than 1965.”
The 1965 war between the two countries was fought for over two weeks in September, and on each September 6, the militaries of both states are eulogised.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise the issue of continuing aggression at a UN General Assembly session next month, Asif said.
On the other hand, ex-US envoy to Pakistan Cameron Munter said in Karachi that Pakistan’s concerns over India’s ceasefire violations were legitimate.
Pakistan and India have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region since both gained independence in 1947, and it remains a major source of tension. About a dozen militant groups have been fighting since 1989 for the independence of the Indian-held portion of Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan.
Speaking at a seminar held titled “one belt one road”, Munter said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will elevate Pakistan’s importance in the region.
“Not just Pakistan but the entire region will benefit from the corridor,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s economic future could be very bright if the blueprint for the corridor is executed and managed properly.
“People here have to want to see good governance, to see honest businesses, to see themselves open up to the world.”
When asked about India-Pakistan relations, the former ambassador said, “both countries have an enormous stake in good relations and I hope they realise that the success of one is the success of the other.”
“At this time, I hope that the leaders of both countries can listen to the people who are interested in working together. It is really up to the people of these countries and the business communities to see where their business interests are.
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