Pakistan on Friday said the LOC truce with India will help "save the lives of Kashmiris" and reduce the "sufferings of people living on the border areas," and ruled out the concern expressed by Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani that it would only benefit India. 

Earlier, Geelani, criticizing Pakistan for agreeing to the joint statement released by DGMOs of two nations, said the move would further embolden India to "commit more atrocities on the people of Kashmir". 

The spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Zahid Hafiz Chaudhri, responded in his weekly briefing, saying the country since 2003 maintained the importance of maintaining calm along on the LoC to save the precious lives of Kashmiris and further to maintain the regional peace. 

“We have also maintained that escalation along the LOC is a threat to regional peace and security. The recent development is very much in line with Pakistan’s consistent position,” he was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. He, however, added there was no change in the principled position of Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

Praising Geelani, he further said, “He is one of the most respected Kashmiri leaders. He has dedicated his entire life to the Jammu and Kashmir cause.” Pakistan has recently conferred upon him the highest civilian award, Nishan-i-Pakistan.