Russian invasion of Ukraine must be stopped immediately: COAS Bajwa – Pakistan

Main of Army Headquarters (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa on Saturday said Russia invasion of Ukraine needs to be “immediately stopped”, calling it great tragedy.

Speaking at the Islamabad Security Dialogue, General Bajwa expressed Pakistan’s grave concerns. over conflict, adding that “despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against you can’t put up with a smaller country.”

“Pakistan has constantly called for immediate ceasefire and ceasefire of fighting. We support instant dialogue between all parties to find a lasting solution to the conflict,” he said. added.

He said that Russian invasion of Ukraine is very unlucky, how many thousands of people was killed millions made refugees andhalf of Ukraine destroyed”.

The army commander said the conflict had given hope to the lesser countries that they could still defend their territory with smaller but agile forces against aggression from a larger country by holding out selective modernization of equipment.

He noted that Pakistan has excellent defense and economic relations. with Ukraine since independence, but relations with Russia was “cold” for long because of numerous reasons. However, some positive developments in this attitude has taken place recently he added.

Pakistan sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine via According to him, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft and will continue to do so. He warned that a continuation or expansion of conflict is not in the interest of Any sideleast of all developing countries who would continue face socio-economic costs of conflict, which he says can “easily get out of hand”.

Gen Bajwa pointed out out that at the international level there were two camps – those who advocated challenging those who advocated cooperation and future vision of security will be decided based on on which camp prevailed.

“I believe, world today built those who believe in cooperation, respect and equality, instead of division, warmongering and domination”.

Pakistani interests served only when cooperation instead of dispute between power the centers were advancing, he said, calling on in international community to support cooperative countries like Pakistan, not those who wish profit from this competition.

“Long and strategic relationship with US’

Army chief also spoke about Pakistan relations with miscellaneous countries including USA.

Amid concerns about disagreements between global powers, Pakistan positioned itself as a melting pot for international economic interests, focusing on on connection and friendship added.

Pakistan does not believe in camp politics and our bilateral relations with our partners do not harm of our relationship with different countries.”

Pakistan had a close strategic relationship with China, as demonstrated by the country’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said, adding that “equally we share long and excellent strategic relationship with USA, which remains our largest export market.”

He said that Pakistan was looking to expand and expand relations with both China and the United States, “without affecting our relations with [either]”.

In addition, relationships with European Union, United Kingdom, Persian Gulf countries Southeast Asia and Japan have been also important for Pakistan progressCOAS said in a statement.

Indian Missile Incident

In his speech, General Bajwa called India’s launch “accidental”. of supersonic cruise missile to Pakistan on 9 March case of “grave concern”, stating that “we expect India to provide evidence to reassure Pakistan and world that their weapons are safe and sound.”

“Unlike other incidents involving strategic weapons, this first time in history that a supersonic cruise missile from one nuclear nation has landed in another,” he said.

The incident raised “serious concerns” about the Indian ability to manage and operate high-tech weapons systems, General Bajwa said, adding that “the indifferent attitude of the neighboring country in Pakistan’s failure to immediately notify an unintentional launch” is no less worrisome.

Missile incident first came to light on On March 10, when the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar shared the details. of Indian “high speed flying object” that has fallen in Mian Channu, Khanewal District.

India made a statement on March 11, two days after the actual launch of rocket, saying it was an accident.

“We hope that international community will understand that this incident could lead in loss of a life in Pakistan or random shooting down of passenger plane flying path of cruise missile,” General Bajwa said today.

He noted that Pakistan called for a thorough investigation into the incident confirming that Pakistan has shown maturity and responsibility on part of it.

‘Ready to move forward on Kashmir if India agrees

“Pakistan continues to believe in using dialogue and diplomacy resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, and is ready move forward on this front if india also agrees to do so,” the COAS said in a statement.

He had made similar comments at the Islamabad Security Dialogue last year when he said it was time for both countries “bury past as well as move forward”.

General Bajwa stressed the importance of keep the conflict away from the region he said Pakistan wanted Sino-Indian border to be settled soon through diplomacy and dialogue also.

“I believe it’s time for political leadership of in region to rise over your emotional and perceptual biases and break the shackles of history bring peace and prosperity to almost three billion people of in region.”

situation in Afghanistan

“Pakistan recognizes that these are regions and not countries that are growing. That is why we believe that peace and stability in ours is wider region are preconditions for achieving shared regional prosperity and development. For this reason, our doors are open. for all our neighbors,” the COAS said in a statement.

He noted that Pakistan continues work with in international community for peace and stability in Afghanistan, but sanctions and absence of financial flows were creating humanitarian crisis in war-torn country.

While the world, especially the West, was preoccupied with humanitarian crisis unfolds in Ukraine, she must ensure that 40m Afghans who faced the terrible conditions were not forgotten, he said.

The army commander warned that inability to solve problems will be “not only lead to the refugee crisis, but will again make Afghanistan the epicenter of terrorism, where [the Islamic State] with this global agenda flourishes [and] May result in more how one 9/11″.

He emphasized need for in international community to support Afghan government. ” performance of real afghan government unsatisfactory to say the least, but we must be patient and hospitable.”

Instead of of imposing sanctions – which never worked – global community should encourage positive behavior changes, he said.

“While Pakistan shares a little of care of in international communitywe consider the disengagement with Afghanistan is not option”, he stressed.

“Toxic mixture in India’

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also spoke at event and said that Pakistan was ready to consider an east-west connection with help the address challenges of poverty and underdevelopment in South Asia.

He said that a “ready partner” was needed. for it’s an effort. “Unfortunately we face toxic mixture in India. An extremist ideological regime flourishes on anti-Muslim hatred and hostility for Pakistan, Qureshi added.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said the missile incident reflected neglect on the part of India. for aviation safety and regional peace and stability.

“This incident is in line with with Irresponsible behavior of India. It must be resolved international community including the UN Security Council.

“Pakistan continues to act with maximum restraint and responsibility, despite [Indian] provocations, foreign minister said.