ISLAMABAD - In a strong response to Indian army chief’s provocative statement, Pakistan has said that although the Pakistan Army is well prepared for hot pursuit and responding to any misadventure, it considers dialogue as the best course for peace between the two nuclear armed neighbours.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor followed hot on the heels of the Indian army chief, and said “Pakistan is a peace-loving country and has played unparalleled role as a force of peace in the region. We are on positive trajectory of peace and stability after having gone through efforts over the last two decades. We understand value of peace and shall not allow it to be reversed.”
Indian media quoted Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat as saying, “Needs to take stern action to avenge the barbarism that the terrorists and Pakistan Army have been carrying out. Yes, it’s time to give it back to them in the same coin.”
Rejecting allegations of mutilating body of Indian BSF soldier, the ISPR director general said “We are professional force and can never undertake such nonprofessional action against any soldier. We believe in coexistence and peace, however any misadventure shall be effectively responded.”
He said “War is never a solution to any problem. Pakistan has always positively responded to all peace initiatives. It’s India who backs out from dialogue. For peace dialogue is the best course. This we always offer from position of strength not weakness.”
“As stated by the government, Indian government is under criticism internally from opposition on various corruption scams and failure of economic agenda. Such statements are attempts to divert domestic narrative towards Pakistan,” the DG said while commenting on the Indian war mongering.
Terming the statement of General Rawat irresponsible, Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor said that the country’s soldiers are ready to respond to Indian misadventures. “Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country and is ready to respond to Indian misadventures,” he emphatically said. He further said, “Pakistan has made it clear that it wants talks and peace in the region but it is India which runs away from talks each time.”
Asif Ghafoor stated that Indian army had been indulged in their country’s politics in the wake of corruption scandals. He vehemently warned Indian civilian and military’s top brass against putting burden of their domestic issues on Pakistan’s shoulders.
“Pakistan Army is a professional institution. It is part of Army’s professional code of conduct. No Pakistani troop was involved in mutilation of Indian soldier,” he said while talking to a private media channel.
Asif Ghafoor said Indian army chief’s statement was aimed at sabotaging Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region. He added that Indian government had utterly failed to clamp down on indigenous struggle of Kashmiris. The ISPR DG stated that third generation of the residents of occupied valley was tendering unrivalled sacrifices against Indian regime.
Dialogue not war is course to peace: Army
Abrar Saeed
