PTI, Lahore :
China has assured Pakistan of its support in the event of any foreign “aggression” and also supported the country’s stance on the Kashmir dispute, a Pakistani media report has said.
Beijing conveyed the message during a meeting of its top diplomat in the provincial capital with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, The Dawn reported.
“In case of any (foreign) aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan,” Consul General of China in Lahore Yu Boren said in a press release by the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office, the newspaper reported.
“We are and will be siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in (India)-held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris,” the report quoted Yu as saying.
Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have been rising after the September 18 terror attack on an army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 18 Indian soldiers.
India has blamed the attack on terrorists from Pakistan which has rejected allegations of its involvement.
Yu, who called on Shahbaz Sharif yesterday to felicitate him on his 65th birthday, discussed with him the situation developing in Kashmir and the progress being made on various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
A portion of the USD 46 billion CPEC passes through a part of the disputed region because of which India has raised objections over the project.
Meanwhile, Britain has expressed serious concern over the growing tension between India and Pakistan amid tension over the Uri terror attack.
“Britain wants easing of tension between Pakistan and India as it is concerned over the current situation (after the Uri attack),” British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew said yesterday.
Mr Drew met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations.
According to a release issued by the Punjab government, the British High Commissioner said, “Like other countries, Britain also wants easing of tension between Pakistan and India. Britain is concerned over the tension between the two countries. It is against violation of human rights anywhere in the world”.
He said Pakistan’s political leadership is showing a responsible attitude in the current situation.
Mr Sharif said Britain should play its role in resolution of the Kashmir issue.
He said Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants durable peace in the region.
