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Eyebrows raised over Pakistani, Indian armies joining SCO joint exercises  

By Mariana Baabar
April 27, 2018

Islamabad: Eyebrows have been raised in world capitals at the decision of the armies of Pakistan and India to join other armies from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to undertake military exercises together with China, Kazakhstan, Krgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Especially, when the two countries do not even play cricket against each other on home grounds and when on daily basis they are active against each other on the Line of Control. When the issue of SCO joint exercises was raised at the Foreign Office weekly press briefing on Thursday, the spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal was reluctant to give details of how the Pakistan Army arrived at this bold decision.

“This is under the ambit of SCO. I will share more details with you later,” the spokesman commented.

The News understands that besides other SCO states, it is China that is behind this unprecedented move, which has nudged the South Asian neighbours to join these military exercises instead of sitting on the sidelines.

However, on the political front, the prime ministers of Pakistan and India did not even shake hands during the recent CHOGM summit in London. “There is no confirmation of any handshake or a formal meeting,” the spokesman said.

Pakistan expressed its confidence at the forthcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China, saying that it was not perturbed specially since Pakistan and China friendship is all-weather and time-tested.

“The strategic partnership between Pakistan and China is based on mutual trust and convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and international issues. Pakistan-China relations are not aimed against any country,” the spokesman said while adding that it would be pertinent to recall the words of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent statement that, “China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership is not only valuable treasure of the two countries, but also stands as an example for building new type of international relations.

“These bilateral relations remain a priority in the foreign policy of both countries. We resolutely support each other’s core and major interests; strengthen collaboration on international and regional affairs to build China-Pakistan community of common destiny”. Instead, the spokesman pointed to the unprecedented Indian ceasefire violations continuing from 2017. “In 2018, 23 innocent civilians have embraced martyrdom and more than 100 others have been injured in over 1,000 ceasefire violations,” the spokesman said asking New Delhi to give rhetoric and threats a rest. “India should walk the talk and refrain from provocative statements. Our armed forces practice restraint but have the capacity and are ever vigilant to give a befitting response to any threat to the motherland,” he added.

In a belated response after the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs has left, the spokesman thought it prudent to dwell on her meeting with the foreign secretary. It was evident that there was no agreement either on Pakistan’s Afghan policy and restrictions on movement from May 1 on Pakistani diplomats in Washington amongst other issues.

However, the spokesman hinted that as far as the killing of a Pakistani youth by the US defence attaché was concerned, “Ambassador Wells expressed condolences for the victim of this tragic accident. Both sides agreed that the matter will be resolved as per applicable laws.” Reiterating Pakistan’s stance for a politically negotiated settlement, owned and led by the Afghans, Pakistan reaffirmed its constructive participation in all regional and bilateral mechanisms aimed at pursuing a peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict. Matters related to Afghan refugees, rise in drug/poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, and the use of Afghan soil to launch terrorist attacks in Pakistan were also raised,” explained the spokesman.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua took the opportunity to brief Ambassador Wells on the atrocities and human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces in Held Kashmir resulting in hundreds of casualties. “Ambassador Wells appreciated the recent successful visit of the prime minister to Kabul and the progress being made on APAPPS and it was agreed to continue regular bilateral discussions at all levels to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” the spokesman added.

APP adds: Pakistan has no frustration regarding Indian missile activities but international community must take notice of such aggressive behaviour, Foreign Office said. During his weekly press briefing, spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said Pakistan possess full capacity to answer Indian actions in the same manner.

He said India’s officials including its prime minister keep giving provocative statements against Pakistan even in other countries. Pakistan has always maintained a dignified attitude and has retaliated only when it was necessary, he added.

He said political vendetta is at its peak against Kashmiri leaders. Even women leaders and activists are being arrested on the ground that they protested along with the students against the rape and murder of a Muslim minor girl at Kathua, he added.

We note with concern the acquittal by the Indian courts in the Mecca Masjid blast. “The gradual acquittal of accused of Samjhota terrorist attacks, including the mastermind Swami Aseemanand, make a travesty of the Indian judicial system,” Dr Faisal said.

Mecca Masjid blast is related to us because Pakistan has regularly lodged its concern with India regarding the lack of progress in the Samjhota terrorist attacks, in which more than 42 innocent Pakistanis lost their lives, despite a lapse of more than a decade, he further added.

To another question, he said India is making a mockery of its justice system, especially while dealing with ‘Saffron terrorism’ and terrorist acts committed under the garb of Hindutva and Hindu fundamentalism.

Replying to a question, he said all the counter-terrorism actions taken by Pakistan are in our own national interest. “We do not lodge such operations on anyone’s orders, we always have given priority to our national interests,” he said.

Replying to another question, he said Pakistan wished peace and stability in Korean Peninsula and any step towards the normalisation would contribute to global peace. He also condemned the suicide attacks that targeted the innocent civilians at voter registration centres in Kabul and Baghlan provinces in Afghanistan last week.

Monitoring report adds: The recent visit of US State Department South and Central Asia Acting Assistant Secretary Alice Wells to Pakistan was part of the chain of talks with United States regarding eradicating terrorism and over bilateral ties, said Foreign Office spokesperson, Geo News reported.

During a weekly press briefing, the spokesperson said talks were also under way with officials over travel restrictions on Pakistani diplomats in the US, which will come into effect from May 1. Dr Faisal was referring to the decision made by the US administration that Pakistani diplomats cannot move freely in the US without seeking permission from relevant authorities in the State Department.

The reports were confirmed by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, who said this restriction was placed in response to the same conditions Islamabad has imposed on the US diplomats in Pakistan. He added this was nothing new and that such steps were a routine matter.