FO rejects India’s ‘malicious assertions’ over PM Imran's remarks

This mischievous attempt is highly condemnable, says FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected India’s "malicious assertions" based on a complete distortion of facts to advance its false and self-serving narrative.

According to a statement issued by Foreign Office (FO), the remarks of the Prime Minister Imran Khan have been completely twisted.

“This mischievous attempt is highly condemnable,” FO said.

“The Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ statement of 5 June, 2020 is a continuation of their desperate campaign to divert international attention from India’s state terrorism in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) and its continuing crimes against the Kashmiri people,” the press release stated.

The communique further stated that Pakistan has been the principal victim of terrorism, including terrorism perpetrated from across the border.

“Tens of thousands of our citizens have lost their lives, while thousands of our valiant law enforcement personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice in Pakistan’s resolute fight against terrorism,” the FO said.

“Pakistan’s sacrifices and contribution in combating the scourge of terrorism have been recognised by the international community.”

The FO added that senior Indian officials and other Indian commentators have frequently boasted about destabilising parts of Pakistan and of their nefarious designs to use terrorism as state policy against Pakistan.

“Today, the Hindutva-driven saffron terror against India’s minorities, Indian state-terrorism in IOJ&K, and India’s use of terrorism as an instrument to destabilise its neighbours stands fully exposed,” FO said.

“It is India that is seeking to distort and misrepresent the report of the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to promote its anti-Pakistan propaganda. We are sure that the world community will not be misled.”

Pakistan’s role as a facilitator to the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan has been widely acknowledged by the relevant international partners, the press release added.

“Pakistan had, since the beginning of the Afghan Peace process, alerted the international community about the role of spoilers in the region, who do not wish to see peace, stability and prosperity return to Afghanistan and waste no opportunity to create obstacles in the successful advancement of the peace process,” FO stated.

Islamabad further said that Pakistan wished to reiterate all relevant partner countries must guard against such attempts while supporting the process for an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.