Pak parliament passes resolution against 'India's LoC agression'

Asks govt to seek UN intervention to resolve Kashmir issue

Pakistan's parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution against the "unprovoked and indiscriminate" ceasefire violations by India and asked the government to seek UN intervention to resolve the Kashmir issue.

The resolution, moved by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, stated the National Assembly condemned Indian ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).

It strongly condemned unprovoked and indiscriminate ceasefire violations by India on the LoC and IB, resulting human and material losses.

Thirteen Pakistani nationals have been killed in exchange of fire since September 13.

It asked the government that while pursuing bilateral dialogue with India, the issue should be raised at the UN and with the international community, urging them to play their role in resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan's military was capable of responding to all aggression. He said India was mistaken if it thought Pakistan's internal issued could be used to its advantage.

"India should not misunderstand Pakistan's initiative towards peace as our weakness...We can respond effectively," Asif said.

He said both countries were nuclear and should refrain from any misadventure.

The House also expressed concern over the plight of people of Kashmir living under "Indian occupation."

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam alleged Indian forces under the cover of unprovoked firing were engaged in constructing bunkers in locations within 500 metres of the IB. The construction of these bunkers is in violation of the 2010 agreement between New Delhi and Islamabad, she said.

"Pakistan would never permit this construction, which is in violation of a bilateral agreement," Aslam said.

The agreement prohibits any construction, including that of bunkers, within 500 metres of either side of the IB.

Pakistan's Punjab provincial assembly had on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution condemning "Indian aggression" at the IB and urged the international community to take note.