Pak prepared to exercise utmost restraint, responsibility: Salman Bashir

In the wake of repeated ceasefire violations, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Salman Bashir on Friday said that both sides need to take steps to stabilize the situation at the Line of Control (LoC), and added that Pakistan is prepared to do whatever it can to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility in this regard.

"I think both sides ought to take steps to stabilize the situation at the LoC. This is the decision of the two Prime Ministers. Pakistan is prepared to do whatever it can to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility in this regard. I hope it happens sooner than later," he said.

"I believe that Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries have been asked to fix the ceasefire and show respect for it. I can say that our side is committed to that decision," he added.

He further said that peace, stability, prosperity and development are the common objectives, and added that it can only happen if the two countries proceed in accordance with best of intend and ability to achieve these objectives.

"That is clearly the objective we all seek, but the basic issue is how to make it happen. It is not the question of this government or that government here. We believe in a bright future for our people. It can only happen if we are proceeding in accordance with best of intent and ability to achieve these objectives," he said.

"I think the objectives are the same; the Government, authority, political parties people and the state institutions need to move forward in that direction so that we are able to achieve the objectives of stability, peace and prosperity for our people," he added.

Pakistani troops continued to violate ceasefire agreement signed with India for a 10th consecutive time in seven days, by firing at Indian posts at Noccobal Area in the RS Pura sector in Jammu.

There has been no improvement in the situation along the Line of Control in the recent past even after the meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan.

In the September 29 talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, both sides had agreed that improving the situation on the LoC is the 'precondition' to 'forward movement' in the India- Pakistan relationship.

Earlier on October 12, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that at this stage, the governments of India and Pakistan, and their Prime Ministers have thought it appropriate that matters relating to the LoC and ceasefire violations should be attended to by the DGMOs of the two countries, as they were the best persons and institutions to deal with what is essentially a defence matter.