Islamabad: As Bharatiya Janata Party (BHJ) politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fueled anti-Pakistan sentiment to gain votes in the election campaign, Islamabad has reacted strongly to the “inflammatory” rhetoric.
According to The News, the Foreign Office issued a dire warning to India on Tuesday, asking it not to be a last resort against Pakistan.
The BJP and Prime Minister Modi have resorted to “bravado” and “jingoism” in a bid to garner more votes in the six-week general election.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Buluch responded to the use of inflammatory remarks against Pakistan and said that the allegations against the country’s strategic capabilities are false.
“Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are aimed at protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan has also clearly shown its determination to defend itself in the past and will not hesitate to do so in the future if the Indian side starts to misbehave,” he warned.
According to him, Pakistan is witnessing a wave of anti-Pakistan rhetoric from various Indian leaders amid the Lok Sabha election campaign.
“We categorically reject these irresponsible remarks, covering a wide range of topics including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism efforts, the state of bilateral relations and nuclear capabilities.”
“The bravado and jingoism displayed by Indian leaders is a reckless and extremist mindset. This mindset calls into question India’s ability to be a responsible steward of its strategic capabilities,” said the spokesperson.
Pakistan regrets that these remarks by the Indian leader reflect a healthy and deep view of Pakistan and reveal a deliberate intention to win elections for hyper-nationalism. “It also represents an attempt to dispel domestic and international criticism,” he said.
Pakistan says it leaked details of an Indian-led and transnational assassination campaign on Pakistani soil months ago. “The constant focus on India’s readiness to take aggressive action against Pakistan is an admission of guilt,” he said.
He said the vision of peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia can only be realized through peaceful resolution of all disputes, including Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and a shift from conflict to cooperation.
The ICC remains an internationally contested area, and the relevant UN Security Council resolution has mandated the finalization of a plebiscite under UN auspices.
“The number of Indian inflation statements cannot change this reality. So India should focus on implementing this decision instead of indulging in grandiose dreams,” said a FO spokesperson.
FO called on Indian politicians to stop involving Pakistan in their domestic politics to win elections and approach important strategic issues with caution.
