Pakistan call for peace with India as it shows off its military might
Pakistan wants peace with India and they should focus on
health and education, the Pakistani president said on Saturday during a parade
to show off its military might following a tense standoff between the
nuclear-armed neighbors, according to Reuters.
Conflict between the rivals erupted last month following a
suicide bomb attack claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group in the Indian
party of the disputed and divided Kashmir region that killed 40 paramilitary
police.
“We do not believe in war and want to solve problems through
dialogue,” President Arif Alvi said in his Pakistani Republic Day speech.
“Instead of war we should focus on education and health.”
Pakistani warplanes engaged in a dogfight with Indian
aircraft over Kashmir on Feb. 27, a day after a raid by Indian jets on what it
said was a militant camp in Pakistan.
In their first such clash since their last war, in 1971,
Pakistan downed an Indian plane and captured its pilot after he ejected over
Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
The pilot was later released by Pakistan as a peace gesture.
The president, who largely holds ceremonial duties, said
India had blamed Pakistan for the suicide-bomb attack without evidence, which
he said was irresponsible.
Saturday’s military parade included an air show featuring
the Pakistani-built JF-17 fighter jet. One of the aircraft shot down the Indian
plane last month.
“Today’s parade is sending the message that we are a
peaceful people but we will never be oblivious of our defense,” Alvi said.
The parade was attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad, who was invited to attend as the chief guest, and Pakistani Prime
Minister Imran Khan.
Khan said on Twitter earlier that he had received a message
from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his best wishes for Republic Day
and calling for peace and regional cooperation.
“I welcome PM Modi’s message to our people,” Khan said.
“I believe it’s time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with
India to address and resolve all issues. The dispute over the former princely
state of Kashmir sparked the first two of three wars between India and Pakistan
after independence in 1947. They fought the second in 1965, and a third,
largely over what became Bangladesh, in 1971.