Inter-Services Public Relations’s (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Tuesday that India is disturbing peace along the border under a planned strategy.
Addressing a press conference at the armed forces’ General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, he said that war was not a solution to any issue and that Pakistan is desirous of the peaceful solution of outstanding issues.
However, the DG warned that “a befitting response will be given if war is imposed. Our peaceful approach should not be taken as a weakness.” He also affirmed that the Pakistan Army is fully capable of responding to aggression of any sort.
He made it clear that war is not the ultimate solution to any issue including the Kashmir conflict. Major General Asir Ghafoor claimed that the ‘surgical strike’ drama was carried out to obscure attention from the freedom riots in Indian occupied Kashmir.
“46 Pakistanis were martyred by unprovoked cross-border firing while 40 Indian were killed in response”, said DG ISPR.
Moreover, he expressed support for Afghanistan in the war against terror and made it clear that Pakistan is not involved in sponsoring cross-border terror. He suggested that the neighbouring country should also contribute to border security as Pakistan has made checkpoints near the border area.
Regarding Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) chief Hafiz Saeed’s house arrest, Ghafoor said that the action has been taken according to the state’s policy and that the military and intelligence agencies work collectively for the state.
During the press briefing, he said, “CPEC and foundation of Gwadar port are significant future prospects for Pakistan. The sacrifices made by the Baloch community are worth praise. The floating speculations can cause misunderstandings while our national interest is above all.”
On a question about Kulbhushan Yadav, he replied that every decision will be made in accordance with the law. “Dawn Leaks is being investigated while the army has nothing to do with the missing bloggers issue”, he said.
Furthermore, he shed light on Pak Army’s full support in carrying out a nationwide census. “Every individual and institution has to play an active role to spread peace and prosperity. We will respond to the aggression from neighbouring India whether it indulges in a cold start or not”, he added.
