Islamabad -  Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday approved funds for establishing community protection bunkers for the safety of civilian population living along the Line of Control (LoC).

PM Abbasi made the announcement during his visit to Chirikot sector on the LoC.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also accompanied the prime minister, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Farooq Haider was also present.

According to the ISPR, the prime minister condemned Indian unprofessional approach of targeting innocent civilians. He said that no army in the world parallels Pakistan Army.

Interacting with the families of martyrs and the injured, PM Abbasi appreciated their determination and resolve.

He announced enhancement in financial assistance to the families of martyrs and the injured and approved funds for development of community protection bunkers for the safety of the civilian population.

The prime minister said that Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris for their just struggle.

He said that the restoration of peace in the country was a milestone achievement and “we will continue working towards an enduring peace and stability”.

The prime minister was also briefed on the situation on the LoC. The prime minister was briefed by General Officer Commanding on the situation along the LoC, Indian ceasefire violations targeting civilians and the befitting response by the Pakistan Army.

On the occasion, the army chief directed the immediate evacuation of a teenage girl to Armed Forces Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine for an artificial limb as she had lost her leg due to Indian firing.

PAK, INDIAN BORDER FORCES HOLD TALKS

Pakistan and Indian border forces have agreed to ‘revive the spirit of 2003 ceasefire agreement’ along the Line of Control (LoC) to avoid civilian casualties, the military said on Friday.

The consensus emerged during the three-day talks of the senior border security officials of the two countries concluded in New Delhi, India, on Friday, a Pakistan’s Army statement issued in Islamabad said.

Pakistan and India had declared ceasefire in 2003 along the LoC; however, both accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.

There has been escalation along the LoC and Working Boundary since militants attacked an Army base in the Indian-occupied Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers on Sept 18 last year.

The Indian military had blamed Jaish-e-Muhammad group for the attack and also pointed fingers at Pakistan. However, Islamabad rejected the charges and suggested an independent investigation.

The meeting between Pakistan Rangers and Border Security Force (BSF), at New Delhi discussed that ceasefire violations and unprovoked firing results in loss of innocent lives.

“At many occasions, women and children also become the victims. To overcome this ordeal, both border guarding forces need to revive the spirit of 2003 ceasefire agreement,” statement from the Army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

In order to address the miseries of inadvertent border crossers and fishermen detained in Indian Jails due to lengthy and complicated repatriation process, both sides explored fresh ideas to expedite the legal formalities with an intent to reunite the affected families with their loved ones, the statement further said.

“The meeting was held in highly congenial and conducive atmosphere. There has been a sincere endeavour from both the Forces to encourage the local commanders at junior level to mutually resolve the minor issues, related to border management at post, company and battalion level,” it went on to state.

Both sides also discussed measure to effectively check the smuggling and border crossings from both sides, the statement said.

The issue of defence construction, closer to Working Boundary and International Border, was deliberated upon to find out amicable and prompt solutions for addressing the day to day mutual concerns.

The outcome of this meeting will be beneficial to both the countries in general and border guarding forces in particular, according to the statement.

It was 44th meeting between Pakistan Rangers and Border Security Force (BSF). The meeting is held alternately in Pakistan and India, on yearly basis.