Pakistan cannot be bullied, India told

The maximum restraint shown by Pakistan in the face of India's growing belligerence on the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary must not be construed as our weakness, said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday. Chairing a meeting on deteriorating situation on the LoC, Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan cannot be bullied by such tactics and is fully capable of defending its soil against any hostility. The Prime Minister added that Pakistan's Armed Forces do not initiate firing but will always respond to any aggression in a befitting manner.
He said the deliberate escalation of tension on the LoC by the Indian forces is a threat to the regional peace and security. "It is also a futile attempt of the Indian authorities to divert world's attention from the worst kinds of atrocities being committed against the defenceless and innocent people of the Indian Occupied Kashmir," the Prime Minister added.
He urged the United Nations to take notice of the cease-fire violations on the LoC and unwarranted escalation of tension between the two countries. The meeting expressed grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the Shuhada (martyrs). Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, briefed the Prime Minister about the latest situation on the LoC as well as the response shown by Islamabad after the latest unprovoked Indian firing that led to the martyrdom of seven Pakistani soldiers in Bhimber sector.
The Adviser also briefed the Prime Minister about the increased frequency of indiscriminate firing and shelling from the Indian side, targeting civilian populated areas. The Advisor said the recent incidents of firing of the Indian forces have resulted in the martyrdom of 26 civilians and caused injuries to 107, including women and children, in complete violation of the 2003 Cease-fire Understanding and International Law.
The meeting was also briefed about the Pakistan-US relations in the backdrop of recently held Presidential election in the United States. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and the US enjoy strong and strategic partnership spanning over a period of seven decades and "we look forward to closely working with the newly-elected government for realisation of peace, security and prosperity in the region and beyond." National Security Advisor (NSA) General Nasir Khan Janjua (retd), Special Advisor to Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Fatemi and other senior government officials also attended the meeting.