Islamabad: Pakistan today (Dec 13, 2003) lodged a formal protest with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad against the construction of fence along the line of control (LoC) by India.

A brief statement by Pakistan Foreign office said tonight that an Indian High Commission official has been called to the Pakistan Foreign Office and handed over the protest note.

"Pakistan has conveyed its serious concerns on the Indian efforts to erect a fence on the LoC and working boundary. A demarche to this effect was made to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad today by the Foreign Ministry," the statement said.

The protest followed strong remarks made by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on the issue of fencing, saying that it was a violation of the United Nations resolutions.

While Musharraf yesterday said India should not have gone ahead with the fencing in view of the ceasefire and Pakistan has already protested to New Delhi about it, Jamali said last night after his return from foreign tour that India should not take "undue advantage" of the ceasefire and construct the fencing.

"We do not appreciate it, India should not take undue advantage of the ceasefire," Jamali said while replying to a question from the media.

Jamali, however, replied in the negative when asked if the Indian move would sabotage the peace process but added that India should not erect the fence.

PTI