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| 'Pakistan is a strong nation' | | India can never dare cross LoC: Musharraf | | B L KAK
NEW DELHI, AUG. 14:
Gen. Parvez Musharraf has warned that Pakistan and its armed forces will not remain passive in the event of any military adventure by India against his country.
Pakistan President has also warned that India can never dare to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Gen. Musharraf's warning came in his speech at a midnight function to mark Pakistan's 59th aniversary of independence. "We do not threaten anyone and we do not accept threats from anybody", he said in reference to reported suggestions by some Indian political parties of punitive retaliation for the July 11 serial bombings in Mumbai that killed over 200 people.
Gen. Musharraf was quoted by Pakistani media as saying: "No one should remain under any illusion that it can coerce Pakistan; it is not possible". "We are a strong nation and no one can threaten or coerce us ... No one can punish us or cross the Line of Control", Gen. Musharraf said of the de facto border that divides the Jammu and Kashmir State between Pakistan and India. Without naming India, the Pakistani leader called for a change in 'mindset' and demanded that his country be treated with 'sovereign equality' in any peace deal at the function held at the President House late Sunday.
India deferred the peace talks, known as the composite dialogue, immediately after the Mumbai blasts. However, meeting in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka for a regional summit early this month, Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India decided to resume the peace process but failed to give any dates for future meetings.
Gen. Musharraf said that no country could dare think of attacking Pakistan. Pakistan, he emphasized, was a peaceful, proud and sovereign nation and no country could threaten it. "No country can dare to think of attacking Pakistan. No one will dare to cross the Line of Control. We are a peaceful, proud and sovereign nation and no one can threaten us," The Nation quoted him as saying.
Gen. Musharraf added: " We do not threaten anyone nor do we accept threats from anybody". He let it be known that Pakistan's defence had been made impregnable and a comprehensive strategy has been put in place to ensure that the country goes from strength to strength. "Pakistan is a stronger country. The nation stands united for Pakistan's defence, which is much stronger now than ever", he said. The Nation also quoted him as saying: " Pakistani forces can protect the country's boundaries. Now we have Al-Khalid tank, Augusta 90, while sooner JF-17 Thunder will be handed over to Pakistan Air Force".
Anand Sharma, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, has condemned the statement of the Pakistan President on the occasion of celebration of Pakistan's Independence Day. Speaking to newsmen, Anand Sharma said: "We don't know what provoked Musharraf to make such statements." India has never used threatening language against its neighbour without any provocation. "The statement is totally unwarranted." Sharma said. |
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