Jeddah, Feb 6: Seeking to internationalize tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan has called for an investigation into the recent incidents there, by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“We would also welcome an OIC fact-finding mission to investigate the recent incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC,” Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said while addressing a meeting of the OIC contact group on Kashmir in Cairo yesterday. She reiterated that Pakistan is ready to work with the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to carry out an independent inquiry into the ceasefire violations.
Earlier, Pakistan’s attempt to rope in the UN by demanding a probe by UNMOGIP was foiled by India, which rejected it saying the matter can be settled bilaterally.
Clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops last month were among the worst violations of the ceasefire that was put in place along the 742-km LoC in late 2003.
One Indian soldier was beheaded while the body of another was mutilated allegedly by in ceasefire violations in Mendhar sector in Poonch last month. Pakistan claims three of its soldiers were killed in Indian firing.
Khar again contended that there were “negative and hostile statements emanating from the Indian leadership” during the ceasefire violations. She said Pakistan chose to “exercise restraints to keep the Pakistan-India peace process on track”.
“Pakistan has entered into dialogue with India in good faith to amicably resolve the Kashmir dispute. We are earnestly implementing the cross-LoC confidence-building measures to bring relief to the divided families and reduce the sufferings of the Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC,” she said in her address.
The CBMs had contributed towards creating a “congenial environment between the two countries to address the issue of Jammu and Kashmir”, she said.
Meanwhile, according to reports, Pakistan’s demand for probe into recent LoC skirmishes by UN military observers was included in the OIC summit’s final communiqué.
It also contains Islamabad’s readiness to cooperate with New Delhi to solve all disputes, including Kashmir, besides asking India to allow an OIC fact-finding mission to visit Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST