News Desk |
On Friday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held India responsible for attempting to heighten tensions with Pakistan. Addressing the media after visiting the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad, FM Qureshi stressed that Pakistan has exhibited a patient and responsible stance while dealing with the issues stirred up by New Delhi.
Referring to the Pulwama incident that occurred in the Indian-occupied valley of Kashmir, FM Qureshi noted that Pakistan did not waste any time in condemning that saddening incident. He added, “India, in extreme haste and without conducting any investigation, chose to blame Pakistan within a few minutes after the attack, and associated the entire episode with Pakistan.”
FM Qureshi stressed that Pakistan responded with a responsible attitude, and demanded India to share whatever evidence they have to substantiate Pakistan’s involvement or even the involvement of groups originating from Pakistan. He said, “We are saddened by this incident, but the individual who carried out this attack is your own (Indian) citizen”.
Read more: Pakistan slams Delhi with further questions on Pulwama Attack
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi advised India to retrospect and search for evidence in their own backyard because the material and car used in the attack was also Indian. “Don’t blame Pakistan senselessly. If you have any evidence, share it with us and we will cooperate with honesty”.
New Delhi’s Malignant Anti-Pakistan Campaign Failed
FM Qureshi highlighted that when India failed to substantiate its claims with evidence, it began an international campaign to malign Pakistan by associating the Pulwama attack with Pakistan’s citizens and one group. He noted, “We kept urging them to share evidence and information instead of alleging baseless accusation, but instead of sharing any credible information, they chose to launch an attack on Pakistan on 26th February”.
FM Qureshi added, “Pakistan had to defend itself and the world has witnessed Pakistan’s resolve”. FM Qureshi stressed that Pakistan is still committed to its agendas of cooperating with India in investigating the attack. He noted, “Unfortunately, India initiated a propaganda campaign to associate the Pulwama incident with Maulana Masood Azhar, the Kashmiri struggle for freedom and the institutions of Pakistan.”
Shah Mehmood Qureshi recalled that Pakistan’s leadership was appalled by India’s lack of responsibility and malignant accusation, and shortly after, they were seen in the UN Sanctions Committee, where they had to face a technical hold. Qureshi added, “Since consensus could not be reached, they bypassed the sanctions committee and tried to rely on the UN Security Council, a move that was a blatant disregard of the rules and procedures. It was clearly an act that threatened to erode the authority of the UN Sanctions Committee.
Read more: Post-Pulwama: Kashmiri spirit and Indian instability, both on rise
FM Qureshi stressed that Pakistan presented its case and “Allah granted us with success for they had to step back” and reconsider their resolutions and their campaign of associating Pakistan with the Pulwama terror attack. He added, “They also had to step back from their plans of taking the route towards the UNSC and the matter was resolved in the Sanctions Committee”.
He stressed that the Indian leadership wanted to exploit this incident for its political ambitions, an ambition that it failed to actualize. As seen on India media today, there is a great debate on the alleged successes that the BJP leadership was touting and the opposition is demanding answers that probe into their underlying ambitions and propaganda campaigns. FM Qureshi concluded, “The whole move backfired”.