Sharif says Kayani backs 'unilateral withdrawal of troops from Siachen Glacier'

Apr 20, 3:37 pm

Lahore, Apr 20(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, who came under fire for his call for a unilateral withdrawal of troops from the Siachen Glacier, has said that Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has backed his stance.

Sharif stressed that if Pakistan took the lead in withdrawing troops from the glacier, India would definitely follow suit.

He reminded everyone that the circumstances that had led his ouster from Islamabad, and subsequently Pakistan in 1999.

"Considering my political career as two time prime minister, everyone should trust my opinion as I believe that if we withdraw the Army from Siachen, India would definitely withdraw it too," The Express Tribune quoted Sharif, as saying.

Sharif's statement comes after he was criticized by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who declared that every inch of Pakistan is sovereign and added that even if there was a withdrawal of troops from the Siachen Glacier, it would never be unilateral.

Kayani had earlier said that Pakistan wants the resolution of the Siachen issue and other issue with India, but had stopped short of advocating for a unilateral withdrawal of troops. (ANI)

Nawaz Sharif, Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Siachen Glacier, Pakistan

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