Ready to 'wrap' tensions if India de-escalates: Asif

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad: Pakistan is ready to "wrap up" tensions with India, if New Delhi de-escalates the situation, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday.

His remarks came hours after India carried out a military strike on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Asif was reported as saying by Bloomberg Television that Pakistan will only respond if attacked.

"We have been saying all along in the last fortnight that we'll never initiate anything hostile towards India. But if we're attacked, we'll respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension," he said.

Regarding the possibility of talks, the minister said he was not aware of any such potential engagements.

Indian Charge d'Affaires summoned

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian Chargé d'Affaires and lodged a strong protest against the Indian strikes.

“The Indian Chargé d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to receive Pakistan's strong protest over the unprovoked Indian strikes” at multiple locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said that these strikes resulted in the deaths and injuries of several civilians, including women and children.

“It was conveyed that India's blatant act of aggression constitutes a clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. Such actions are in contravention of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms governing inter-state relations,” FO said.

Pakistan also firmly rejected what it called “India's baseless justifications for its hostile conduct.”

Pakistan closes airspace

Pakistan on Wednesday announced a 48-hour closure of its airspace for all air traffic after India carried out a military strike on terror targets in Pakistan and PoK.

Shortly after the military strike by India, Pakistani aviation authorities closed the airspace over Islamabad and Lahore and diverted flights to Karachi. Later, the entire airspace was closed for 48 hours as a precautionary measure.

However, aviation authorities reopened the airspace after an eight-hour closure.

International and domestic flights resumed this morning, with the majority of them departing from the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi or Lahore.

We will respond with full force. We will pay off this debt in the manner such debt is paid. All places are open for the international media to verify if they targeted terrorists' camps or civilians.

Khawaja Asif, Defence Minister, Pakistan