Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan extended an offer to Indian Prime Minister Nerendra Modi for talks to de-escalate rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He said war benefits neither nation and that he hopes better sense will prevail. In a televised address to the nation, Imran Khan said Pakistan is ready to cooperate and added: “Let’s sit together to talk to find a solution.” He once again promised to cooperate with India to find the perpetrators behind a February suicide attack in Indian Held Kashmir that killed more than 40 Indian troops. In Tuesday’s strike by India, Pakistan had said that Indian warplanes dropped bombs near the Pakistani town of Continued on page 7
Continued from front page Balakot, but there were no casualties. In a quid pro quo, Pakistani air force shot down two Indian aircrafts on Wednesday that violated Pakistan’s air space, which was of course in self-defence.
Despite provocations by India, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership talks of peace and not war; whereas Indian civil and military leadership has created war hysteria after the Pulwama attack. However, there is no need for celebrations or jubilations, as responsible and peace-loving nations want to live in peace. Especially war between two nuclear states is not an option, as it could result in annihilation of millions of people. And of course, there is no concept of victor and vanquished in the war between two nuclear states. Pakistan believes in de-escalation and peace so that more than 1.5 billion people of the sub-continent could live in peace without trepidation and fear. Indeed, reconciliation is possible between every conflicting stakeholder; even between those who tried to exterminate the other as was the case after two world wars. Military leaders and statesmen learn how to prevent war and violence. That is the difference between brinkmen and statesmen.
Hours after Pakistan shot down two Indian jets that violated its airspace, the international community on Wednesday urged Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and hold talks to resolve issues. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and avoid escalation at any cost. Pompeo said in a statement that he had spoken to foreign ministers from Indian and Pakistan and encouraged both ministers to prioritize direct communication and avoid further military activity. China hoped that both India and Pakistan can exercise restraint and maintain good neighborly and friendly relations. “What we are concerned about is that India and Pakistan, as important countries of the South Asian subcontinent, can maintain good neighbourly and friendly relations,” Lu said. Urging restraint on both sides, British Prime Minister Theresa May said the United Kingdom was deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
European Union’s diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini called on India and Pakistan to show the ‘utmost restraint’ in their worsening confrontation as fears grow of all-out conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals. “This has the potential to lead to serious and dangerous consequences for the two countries and the wider region. We expect both countries to now exercise utmost restraint and avoid any further escalation of the situation,” Mogherini said. United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spoke on phone with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and offered mediation between India and Pakistan. Zarif urged both countries to practice restraint, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported, adding that Zarif is going to speak to his Indian counterpart as well. The world community seems to be concerned over the rising tension between India and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, a US White House National Security Council official said the risks of further military action by India and Pakistan are unacceptably high. The United States is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan and calls on both sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan is willing to cooperate with India to find perpetrators of Pulwama attack, an offer Prime Minister Imran Khan has made more than once. In fact, the conduct of Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has been commendable. No doubt, they are ready to respond to any misadventure from the other side they have the desire for peace, which is precondition for progress and prosperity for both the countries and the region at large.
