International forces are trying to pressurise Pakistan: Ahsan Iqbal

Says Indian army chief's statement was careless, shows New Delhi's mindset

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that both Indian army chief and Donald Trump's statements indicate that international forces are trying to pressurise Pakistan.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Iqbal commented that the Indian army chief's statement was very careless.

"Atomic countries should be very careful with weapons, these aren't guns; they're weapons of mass destruction," he said.



"India has not directly threatened us, but this careless statement shows India's mindset. I urge all countries with nuclear power to exercise caution and control," the minister said.

Political point-scoring

Talking about the horrific incident of rape, death of an eight-year-old in Kasur, the minister assured that all measures have been taken to catch the perpetrator of this crime.

"Government is doing its best to catch the culprit. However, political personalities should not use this incident for point scoring," he added.

Iqbal urged all politicians to do more for the betterment of society rather than bashing the government.

On January 12, Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said that the force was ready to call Pakistan’s ‘nuclear bluff’ and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government.

“We will call the [nuclear] bluff of Pakistan. If we will have to really confront, and a task is given to us, we are not going to say we cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will have to call their nuclear bluff,” Gen Rawat said during a press conference.



Top officials of the country have retorted to Gen Rawat's claims with equal force, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Gen Asif Ghafoor, foreign minister Khwaja Asif have all acknowledged India's claims and replied that Pakistan is ready in case of any threat.