ISLAMABAD: United States National Security (USNS) Advisor, Ambassador JohnBolton, appreciating Pakistan’s measures in deescalating tension duringrecent ‘Pak-India crisis’ has urged for continued restraint on both sides.
He said this during a telephonic call to Foreign Minister Shah MahmoodQureshi while discussing regional security situation following the Pulwamaincident.
The purpose of the call was to get Pakistan’s perspective on the recentregional developments, a foreign Office press release said. ForeignMinister Qureshi said Indian aggression of February 26, was a violation ofPakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as the UN Charter.
He also said Pakistan’s response on February 27, was purely in self-defenceagainst external aggression. He informed about the de-escalatory measurestaken by Pakistan.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to hand over the Indian pilot asa gesture of goodwill towards India.
Pakistan wished peace and stability in the region. Pakistan’s highcommissioner to New Delhi had also returned to Delhi after consultations.
Pakistan would send an official delegation to India on March 14, to discussthe agreement on the operationalization of the Kartarpur Corridor.
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Pakistan was also ready to continue weekly contacts at the militaryoperations directorate level.
Ambassador John Bolton said he and Secretary of State Pompeo, despite beingactively engaged in talks with DPRK in Hanoi, monitored the developmentsbetween India and Pakistan and kept contact with the leadership of twocountries to ensure that the security situation in the South Asia regiondid not deteriorate.
The need for dialogue between Pakistan and India to find peacefulresolution to all outstanding disputes was also emphasized. The foreignminister cautioned against any Indian misadventure, keeping in view theforthcoming elections.
Ambassador Bolton concurred.
Ambassador Bolton also appreciated Pakistan’s important role in the Afghanpeace process. Both leaders agreed to work together to pursue the process.
