ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over the approval of theUnited States for sale of integrated air defence weapon system to India,saying the step would disturb the peace of already volatile region.
“The decision of U.S will have serious impact on the stability of theregion,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said at a weekly pressbriefing at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The U.S. Department of State on Monday approved a possible sale to India ofmilitary equipment, comprising an integrated air defense weapon system(IADWS). According to the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency, thecost of the sale, if finalized, would be approximately $1.867 billion.
The FO spokesperson said the South Asia could not afford a race on weaponryamong the nations.
On Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), she said the 193rd day oflockdown had deprived the people from basic amenities of life as the valleyhad turned into a largest human jail in the history.
She expressed concern over the continuous ceasefire violations by Indiaalong the Line of Control resulting in several casualties, and saidPakistan had warned international community of any possible false flagoperation by India.
Such provocations by the RSS-inspired Bharatia Janta Party government aredesigned to distract the consistent human rights violations, being carriedout in Indian Occupied Kashmir, she added.
She called upon the international community to take notice of the situationas any irresponsible act by India could prove disastrous to regional peaceand stability.
On visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan today, shesaid Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed unique brotherly relationship as bothsupported each other on important issues.
Read Top Stories
She said the visit would further strengthen the existing relationship intoa more meaningfulpartnership.
On upcoming visit of UN Secretary General Antoneo Guterrus to Pakistan onFebruary 16-17, the spokesperson said he would attend a conference, markingthe 40 years of Pakistan hosting the Afghan refugees.
She said the conference would will be attended by representatives from 20countries as theoccasion would showcase Pakistan’s goodwill and compassion for refugees forfour decades.
The international conference is taking place at a juncture when peace inAfghanistan has new prospects, she added.
She said the the UN Secretary General would also visit Lahore and GurdwaraKartarpurSahib.
On favour from other countries for voting on upcoming decision on FinancialAction Task Force (FATF), she said “We are always hopeful, alwaysoptimistic. We have international partners who would support us.”
