Pakistan, India agree on stringent observance of LoC ceasefire agreements

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan and India on Wednesday agreed on strict observance of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors, with effect from Wednesday midnight.

 

The agreement took place as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

 

“In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence,” the ISPR statement read.

 

The two sides “reviewed the situation along LoC and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere”.

 

“Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LOC and all other sectors, with effect from midnight 24/25 February 21,” it said.

 

The ISPR said both sides reiterated that existing, mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings would be utilized to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed the agreement “an important step” in reducing tensions in the region and a way forward towards peace.

 

He said Pakistan desired to maintain peaceful relations with all its neighbours including India.

 

 

Qureshi said the government highlighted the Indian violations at LoC at all international platforms and mentioned the letters written to United Nations Secretary General for several times.

 

He said that “India must demonstrate sincerity in implementation of the ceasefire agreement” for sustainable peace in the region.

 

                                                                                                           

Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar has said action has been taken against those responsible for the escape of former spokesman of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Ehsanullah Ehsan and efforts are afoot to re-arrest him.         

 

In his interaction with the foreign media correspondents in Rawalpindi, ISPR DG said the escape was a very serious matter and after a thorough investigation, action was taken against those responsible for the matter.  

 

He said the Commission on Enforced Disappearances has made great strides to resolve the issue as out of 6000 registered cases 4,000 have been resolved and it will resolve the rest soon.             

 

He said the organized extremist outfits in the tribal areas have been eliminated long ago and now they lake the ability to launch a major attacks in the area.

 

DG ISPR said a few people allegedly involved in the killing of 11 Hazara miners in Machh area of Balochistan were also arrested.           

 

Major General Babar Iftikhar said Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan at all costs and has done what it could in this regard.

 

Major General Babar Iftikhar said militants in Pakistan were being aided from Afghanistan and we have evidence to prove that India is providing arms and money to anti-Pakistan militants and not only enhancing their capabilities rather providing them new technology.