Following the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) violation of the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in a telephonic conversation, told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that India is putting the regional peace and stability at risk in pursuit of its political and electoral targets.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), Qureshi told Pompeo that Indian aggression was worthy of condemnation and hoped that the United States will play its role in the situation. He apprised Pompeo about India’s violations at the LoC as well as the emotions of the Pakistani government, parliament and the people.
“Pakistan desires regional peace and stability but we cannot compromise on our stability,” Qureshi told his US counterpart. He said that Islamabad has already informed the international community about New Delhi’s intentions following the Pulwama attack. However, he said, Pakistan has adopted an ‘extremely responsible attitude’ despite threats from India.
Qureshi told Pompeo that the joint peace efforts in Afghanistan can be affected by the India’s aggression.
Qureshi also spoke with the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yusuf Ahmad Al-Othaimeen over the phone. He told the OIC secretary general that India’s LoC violation is ‘extremely condemnable’.
Published in Daily Times, February 27th 2019.
