Pakistan entitled to defend itself, Chinese envoy told

Pakistan entitled to defend itself, Chinese envoy told

* Islamabad calls for de-escalation
* President, PM hail friends’ help in defusing tension
* Iranian president to visit Pakistan, India

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/ RAWALPINDI: Pakistan has the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in case of an aggression, top officials in Islamabad told visiting Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs He Yafie on Monday.

The Chinese official, a special envoy to South Asia, held separate meetings with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Interior Adviser Rehman Malik, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani and Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Tariq Majid.

The prime minister said the soaring of Pakistan-India tensions in the wake of last month’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai had only benefited the elements who wanted to ruin the ties between the two neighbours.

In a separate meeting with Yafie, President Zardari said Pakistan had made positive gestures after the Mumbai attacks but India responded with counterproductive allegations. General Kayani called for a de-escalation to avoid a conflict between India and Pakistan in his meeting with the Chinese vice minister.

In a separate meeting, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee said the two countries should avoid provocative belligerent posturing.

The Chinese minister appreciated Pakistan’s response to the attacks. He agreed with Pakistani officials that New Delhi and Islamabad should cooperate to fight terrorism. He said China would remain engaged to promoting peace and stability in the region.

President, premier: Meanwhile, the president and the premier resolved to defend the country in case of an Indian attack in a meeting at the President’s House, a private TV channel reported. They hailed the efforts of friendly countries in defusing tensions.

British High Commissioner Robert Edward Brinkley also met President Zardari on Monday, an official handout said without giving details.

Iranian president: Another private TV channel said Iranian President Mehmoud Ahamdinejad would visit Pakistan and India this week in a bid to defuse tensions between the two neighbours. sajjad malik/daily times monitor/app