RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Saturday responded to Indian army chief’s provocative statement saying that dialogue was the “best course” for peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The statement from Major General Asif Ghafoor, a spokesman for the Pakistani military, came in response to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's threats of a surprise action by Indian security forces against Pakistan. Maj Gen Ghafoor, the director general (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that Pakistan is a peace loving country and has played unparalleled role as forces of peace in the region. "We are on positive trajectory of peace and stability after having gone through efforts over the last two decades. We understand value of peace and shall not allow it to be reversed," the DG ISPR said. "We believe in coexistence and peace, however, any misadventure shall be effectively responded." Maj Gen Ghafoor said, "War is never a solution to any problem. Pakistan has always positively responded to all peace initiatives." "It’s India who backs out from dialogue. For peace dialogue is the best course. This we always offer from position of strength not weakness." Referring to Indian war mongring, the Pakistani military spokesman said: "As stated by the [Pakistani] government, the Indian government is under criticism internally from opposition on various corruption scams and failure of economic agenda. Such statements are attempts to divert domestic narrative towards Pakistan." Terming General Rawat's statement 'irresponsible', the DG ISPR said, "A war takes place when either side is unprepared for it. We are always ready and prepared for war." Speaking to media in New Delhi earlier, General Rawat said Pakistan was doing what it had been doing, adding that Indian forces will take further measures. He however told reporters that they could not share details of their next action with them. "Yes, it’s time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism," he said. "But, I think the other side must also feel the same pain." Kashmir struggle Major General Ghafoor said that the third generation of Kashmiris is rendering sacrifices for their liberation against the occupying forces. "The Indian government has failed to clamp down the political struggle of Kashmiris," the spokesperson said, adding that the government of Pakistan's offer for dialogue is still on the table. Major General Asif Ghafoor said that Pakistan has successfully fought against terrorism adding that the country has established peace after two-decade of struggle. "We know the cost of peace and we want to take it ahead," he said. Attempt to divert attention from graft scandal The DG ISPR said that the Indian government adopted anti-Pakistan narrative in its attempt to divert the attention of its people from the recently surfaced graft allegations. Major General Ghafoor said that there is a realignment underway in the international politics and Pakistan's relations are getting better with other respective states. Army dismisses mutilation allegation Rejecting allegations of mutilating body of Indian BSF soldier, the DG ISPR said that they are a professional force and can never undertake such nonprofessional action against any soldier. "We categorically dismiss the Indian allegation. We are a professional army. We can't disrespect the body of a soldier even if he belongs to an enemy state," he added. India COAS shouldn't behave as BJP's secy general Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry hit back at the provocative statements by saying that General Rawat should know that he is an army chief not a BJP secretary general. Chaudhry said that General Rawat is highlighting himself as a ‘tool’ of a political party, adding that where Pakistan is calling for peace between both sides whereas the Indian army chief is restoring to warmongering.<doc-sep>Pakistan President Arif Alvi (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) Pakistan President Arif Alvi (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Friday expressed disappointment over India’s decision to call off talks between the two countries, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan’s peace overture was negated in their “usual belligerent manner”. “Sad to see India backing off from FM level talks. Mutual reservations could have been placed on the table. Kashmiris face only disappointment on International Day of Peace. PM Imran Khan’s outstanding peace overture negated in their usual belligerent manner,” the President tweeted. India called off talks with the neighbouring country today, less than 24 hours after it was confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be meeting her counterpart on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Citing the reason for the cancellation of talks as abduction and killing of three J&K policemen and the release of postal stamps glorifying slain Kashmir militant commander Burhan Wani, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said the true face of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been exposed. READ | India calls off talks with Pakistan after J&K cops killing, says PM Imran Khan’s ‘true face’ exposed Briefing the media, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “It’s obvious that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of new Prime Minister of Pakistan has been revealed to the world in his first few months in the office.” He said that two fresh events occurred since the announcement of fresh talks between both countries. Imran Khan had initiated peace-level talks through a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a meeting had been scheduled between the Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New York. This formal engagement between the Foreign Ministers was supposed to happen after three years, since the last one was in December 2015 in Islamabad.<doc-sep>
Imran Khan reaches out to Narendra Modi for peace talks India on Friday called off the meeting between the nuclear-armed neighbours' foreign ministers, planned for the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this month. The foreign ministry in New Delhi said its decision to scrap the meeting was to protest the killing of Indian security personnel in Kashmir and a Pakistani postage stamp it said was "glorifying" an anti-India separatist who Indian forces killed in the disputed Himalayan region last year. Pakistan described India's reasons as excuses to enable it to avoid holding talks before national elections next year. Mr Khan, a former national cricket captain, followed up on Twitter. Mr Khan wrote on his official account: “Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue. "However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture." Resumption of talks have been stalled for years over the issue of Kashmir, claimed by both countries and ruled in part by each of them. Pakistan and India have fought two of their three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 over the region. The Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has insisted that Pakistan act against Islamist militants Kashmir, saying Pakistan still aids the groups from the portion of Kashmir it rules. Pakistan's Imran Khan has blasted rival Narendra Modi over the cancellation Imran Khan launched an attack on India today India: Rupee hits a ‘fresh low’ of 72.88 against US dollar Pakistan denies aiding any attacks there and says it is fighting militant groups for its own security. The breakthrough appeared to been made after Mr Khan made an appeal to Indian premier Narendra Modi to end the fraught relations between the two nuclear powers. Pakistan foreign minister Mehmood Qureshi said the decision to scrap talks was "unforunate". He said: "We had already told India that if they take one step towards us, we will take two. Merkel greets Modi at Chancellery ahead of private meeting