Sowing discontent: Modi statement vitiated atmosphere of peace, says Sartaj

Pakistan will expose India’s interference in destabilising the country, states adviser.


Maryam Usman June 11, 2015
PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan would take all possible diplomatic steps to expose India’s interference in former East Pakistan and its current attempts of destabilising Pakistan through terrorism.

This was stated by the adviser to the PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, presenting a statement before the Senate on Wednesday.

He said the government has taken strong note of the statements of Indian PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh. He had acknowledged Indian government’s involvement in the events of 1971 and then Eastern Province of Pakistan.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement to express our concerns. We have urged the international community to take note of India’s acknowledgement of blatant interference in a sovereign neighbouring country,” said Aziz. He appreciated the reaction issued by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.

He further said that Modi’s statement at Dhaka University in which he characterized bilateral as a “nuisance” was unfortunate. Pakistan pursues a policy for maintaining good neighbourly relations, he said.

Such statements not only vitiate the atmosphere but question India’s sincerity to establish good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan, he said. The open admission of India’s active involvement against Pakistan’s territorial integrity at the highest political level was a cause of serious concern. Additionally the role played by its intelligence in destabilising Pakistan by supporting terrorist elements as a matter of state policy, was alarming he said. This is a serious issue that the world and the UN should take notice, he added.

Furthermore, the PM’s aide said that the statement should be seen in conjunction with the recent statement of the Indian Defence Minister to the effect of “neutralising terrorism with terrorism”. Aziz pointed out that Pakistan was faced with numerous challenges in its unrelenting fight against terrorism. “The brave people and valiant armed forces have sacrificed thousands in their efforts to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from our country. We will not allow any other country to unsettle Pakistan in this noble pursuit,” he affirmed.

“It is regrettable that the Indian Prime Minister chose Bangladesh to make such statements, aimed at fanning hatred against Pakistan in Bangladesh,” said Aziz.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2015. 

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