Pakistan for long-lasting peace in region.

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Office on Friday said that Pakistan does not want war with India and had been taking steps for long-lasting peace in the region.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing here, Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri urged the need to implement 2003 ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India in letter and spirit to save Kashmiri lives on both sides of the Line of Control.

Responding to a question about contact between Pakistan and Indian Director General of Military Operations for ceasefire along the LoC, the spokesperson said Pakistan was very concerned over loss of precious human lives of the people of Kashmir and their property on both sides.

He said Pakistan always gave a measured response to Indian ceasefire violations in view of protecting lives of innocent Kashmiris. He said respecting the ceasefire understanding of 2003 will help save Kashmiris' lives.

Chaudhri made it clear that there no change in Pakistan's long-held and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He said that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in a peaceful manner as enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions and as per wishes of the people of Kashmir.

Chaudhri said the armed forces of Pakistan were fully capable to give a befitting response to any foreign eventuality. He said Pakistan's response to Indian aggression on Balakot was firm and responsible and we reiterate our national resolve that aggressors will be met with same response in case of any misadventure.

To a question about Iran's allegation that Pakistan had fired on Panjgur's demonstrators, he said the incident occurred on the Iranian side of border.

'We have taken up the matter with the Iranian Embassy on the statement made by the Deputy Governor of Sistan-o-Baluchistan. Pakistan views its border with Iran as one of peace and friendship,' he said.

The spokesperson added: 'We remain engaged with Iranian officials to discuss ways and means to not only facilitate cross-border commerce for local people living on both sides of the border but to also ensure the security of the common border. Such unfortunate incidents validate the need to have more formal ways to increase the trading opportunities for local people.'

During the week, he said, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held important meetings regarding the Afghan Peace Process in Islamabad.

The Foreign Minister received Russian President's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov...