Pakistan does not want arms race in region: FO

Condemns torture of seven journalists covering Pakistan Day celebrations in IOK by Indian troops

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has condemned Indian troops torturing of seven journalists covering Pakistan Day celebrations in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan does not want arms race in the region and desires to resolve issues with India through dialogue.

He urged the international community to influence India to respond positively to Pakistan's initiatives for peace.

At the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Indian authorities also detained Hurriyet leaders barring them from attending Pakistan Day function at country's high commission in New Delhi. He expressed concern over the arrest of 131 youths and 30 Hurriyet leaders last week.

Foreign Office Spokesman said celebration of Pakistan Day is a clear verdict of the people of the Occupied Kashmir that they want to join Pakistan. He said that human rights situation has been aggravated in the Occupied Kashmir.

He said Indian targeting civilians in Azad Kashmir and heightening tension on the Line of Control has threatened peace in the region.

Replying to a question on Indian massive purchase of weapons by India, Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan does not want arms race in the region and desires to resolve issues with India through dialogue.

To a question, the spokesman said not mentioning of human rights violations in the Occupied Kashmir has put a question mark on the credibility of the US human rights report.

He said Pakistan opened its border with Afghanistan as a goodwill gesture and it is hoped that Afghan government would remove root cause that led to closure of the border.

To a question, he said Pakistan will attend a conference regarding Afghanistan to be held in Moscow but it will be decided later that at which level Pakistan will participate in the moot.

To another question, Nafees Zakaria said efforts are being made to get Ijaz Hussain Jamali released from kidnappers in South Sudan.