Pakistan strongly condemns unwarranted, gratuitous & provocative comments made by Indian Defence Minister

ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (SABAH): In response to media queries on the remarks made by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stated that Pakistan strongly condemns the unwarranted, gratuitous and provocative comments made by the Indian Defence Minister at an event in New Delhi on 12 December 2021, questioning established historical facts, leveling unfounded allegations in the context of terrorism, and hurling threats against Pakistan.

FO spokesperson said that it is the BJP’s special forte to misrepresent history, resort to revisionism and delusional thinking, and indulge in false bravado. Such discourse is particularly evident whenever elections in key states in India are approaching.

He said that the timing of the Indian Defence Minister’s provocative rhetoric is, therefore, not surprising, as the BJP-RSS combine is desperate to win elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states, typically inciting hyper nationalism and seeking to advance the extremist ‘Hindutva’ agenda.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the Indian Defence Minister’s chest-thumping and war-mongering is nothing but further evidence of India’s irresponsible behavior and its relentless belligerence towards Pakistan.

FO spokesperson said as regards the issue of terrorism, the international community is well aware of how the Hindutva-inspired regime in India is carrying out State-terrorism against the Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In November last year, Pakistan also presented a comprehensive dossier with irrefutable evidence of the Indian government’s planning, aiding, abetting, financing and executing terrorist activities in Pakistan.

He said that the world is aware that Pakistan is fully capable of thwarting India’s aggressive designs. We have demonstrated our resolve and capability in this regard, including in the recent past.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the BJP leaders will be well-advised to desist from any ill-conceived misadventure and also stop dragging Pakistan in India’s domestic politics for electoral gains.