In a rare positive development, Pakistan and India agreed on Tuesday to restore ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB) whose violation has left over 100 dead during the last nearly a year and half on the Pakistani side.
The agreement was reached during a hotline conversation between the Directors General of Military Operations of Pakistani and Indian armies. The conversation between Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was held on a Pakistani initiative. It was unprecedented for both sides to issue almost identical statements on the conversation, which unlike before did not accuse the other of wrongdoing. Even in the last month after DGMO level talks India blamed Pakistan for the cross border firing incidents and maintained that firing by Indian troops were carried out only in response of firing from Pakistani side. But despite the harsh statements by India consistent efforts by authorities in Pakistan proved successful in this development and peace agreement was reached during a hotline conversation.
Recently leaders of North and South Korea took initiative to brush aside the bitter past and vowed to mitigate differences through diplomacy. At that time many experts of international relations termed the incident as an example for India and Pakistan to reduce growing tension by indulging in negotiations. It is very positive step initiated by Pakistan to bring peace at the Line of Control and Working Boundary. It has been reported that only in the past few months many civilians became victims of ceasefire violations. Particularly Indian government under leadership of Narendra Modi had opted for the policy of instigating violence and atrocity as precious lives of innocent people were lost on the Pakistani side of the border.
Current exchange is a refreshing change from the Pak-India finger pointing rhetoric, where the two contemporaries were unanimous in their statement committing to a mutual understanding regarding respecting the 2003 ceasefire on LoC and WB. The development came as a major relief for civilians living in border colonies, thousands of whom have been displaced due to the fierce cross-border firings. Similarly, governments of both countries must establish peace in the region through negotiations and let the diplomacy give a chance to reduce growing tension. Recently heartening positive steps taken by the two sides include exchange of prisoners and progress on other bilateral agreements. Considering the current tense relations of both countries every effort that can help in reducing bitterness must be celebrated and encouraged.
It is pleasing development that both Pakistan and India have agreed to restore LoC ceasefire.