Pakistan will not become part of any move aimed to disrupt peace in region: DG ISPR

• Ghafoor says Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used against anyone.
• Indian army chief should stop threatening Pakistan and end oppression and brutality in Occupied Kashmir: DG ISPR.
• COAS told Pompeo there is need to end conflicts among the states and avoid affecting the Afghan peace process: Asif.

(Karachi) DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor has said Pakistan will not become part of any move that aims to disrupt peace in the region.

Expressing views on a private TV channel on Sunday, he said, “The prime minister has already mentioned that we will not allow Pakistan’s soil to be used against anyone.”

He said, "Pakistan will not be party to anyone or anything but will be a partner of peace and peace alone."

Ghafoor added, “We want peace in the region but will not compromise on the sovereignty of the country.”

He said Pakistan always stressed the need to resolve issues through dialogue.

Ghafoor said Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa played an important role in improvement of the region's situation.

Referring to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and General Bajwa’s telephonic discussion over killing of top Iranian commander, the DG ISPR maintained the regional situation had been altered and Pakistan would play its role in helping peace prevail..

He said the COAS asked Pompeo that US should take measures to promote peace in the region.  He said the army chief told Pompeo there is dire need to end conflicts among the states and avoid affecting the Afghan peace process.

He said, “Pakistan did everything to promote peace and maintain stability in the region.”

Responding to a question regarding rumours that Pakistan would participate in the war by supporting the United States against Iran, Ghafoor said such rumours were circulating on social media. He clarified, however, that this was not the first call [between Pompeo and Gen Bajwa].

"From the Afghan reconciliation process to the regional security, the army chief has an important role," he said, adding that the Foreign Office had also issued a statement.

"My request to the people and media would be to only pay attention to statements from an authentic source," he said, adding that they should not pay attention to "propaganda" and "rumours of enemies of the country".

"India is playing the lead role in spreading these rumours," he said, adding that he had read an Indian news article that Pakistan had ditched Iran and the resumption of Pakistan's participation in a US military training and educational programme.

Asif pointed out that the Indian army chief should stop threatening Pakistan and end oppression and brutality in Occupied Kashmir. He said the Indian army knows the capability of the Pakistan Army and it has been defeated on several occasions.

He said the Pakistan Armed Forces shot down two Indian jets and captured a pilot. "We released the Indian pilot as a good gesture for promoting peace."

He said, “We defeated terrorism in our country.” The DG ISPR said, “The Pakistan Armed Forces know how to defend the country.”

On Friday, the Foreign Office expressed concern over the killing of Iranian General Qasim Suleimani in a US strike at an airport in Iraq.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan views the situation and recent developments in Middle East with great concern which could also disrupt peace and stability in the region.

The FO stated as part of the UN Charter, countries should respect and adhere to each others integrity and territorial sovereignty.

The statement further stated that it is need of the hour to de-escalate the situation and adopt diplomatic means to resolve issues peacefully by following international law and UN Charter.