Special Adviser to Prime Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan. PHOTO: TWITTER
Addressing a press conference in Lahore along with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Saturday, she said Pakistan has exhibited restraint as any escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could put regional peace into jeopardy.
“But if war is imposed on us, then it will not end in Srinagar but in Delhi,” she said, adding that Pakistan’s armed forces had the ability to overcome India’s military might.
“Peace overtures should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness,” she said, adding that the people of Pakistan are ready to support their forces. “Just like our people supported the forces during the war against terrorism, they will do so in case of any confrontation with India.”
She also urged global bodies, including the UN, to play their role in ending the current clampdown, which has been in place for almost three weeks. A curfew and a communication blackout preceded India’s move to strip the occupied territory of its semi-autonomous status on August 5.
“A curfew has been imposed in Kashmir since the last 20 days. All sources of communications are closed and the international media has no access to the area.”
She said India is carrying out genocide and ethnic cleansing in the occupied Kashmir.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan will take up the issue on every forum and the international community must act before it’s too late. Independent observers are not being allowed to visit Kashmir even though they are allowed to visit Palestine despite Israeli atrocities.”
She called US President Donald Trump’s effort to mediate on Kashmir a diplomatic success of the PM, adding that India’s unwillingness to agree to it showed that it had insincere designs for the region.
“We have always insisted on composite dialogue with India, which includes not just Pakistan and India but also Kashmiris, as they are a party to this dispute.”
She lamented the silence of “certain Islamic countries that had backed off from the Kashmir cause”, adding that their actions were dictated by economic reasons.
Dr Firdous said the prime minister would address the nation later in the week, while an announcement would also be made regarding a date to express solidarity with Kashmiris on the national level.
“The prime minister has constituted a focal group on Kashmir and its meeting are held every week to decide priority action,” she said.
The SAPM said the PM's current spokesperson, Nadeem Afzal Chan, had not resigned when asked whether former information minister Fawad Chaudhry was being considered for the post.
Speaking about the Kartarpur Corridor, she said the project would be completed according to the timelines. “It is the right of the Sikh community and Pakistan acknowledges that.”
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ