India ‘shouldn’t drag’ Pakistan into its politics

FO slams rival nation’s leaders using anti-Islamabad rhetoric for electoral gains

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Tuesday urged Indian politicians to stop “dragging” it into their domestic politics for electoral gains and to handle sensitive strategic matters with the utmost caution.

“We call upon the international community to take note of Indian leadership’s belligerent rhetoric, which poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in statement issued in response to media queries about a series of Pakistan-related remarks made recently by the Indian prime minister, external affairs minister and other cabinet members,

The FO spokesperson pointed out that the country was witnessing an alarming surge in anti-Pakistan rhetoric from various Indian leaders amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign.

Mumtaz said Pakistan rejected these irresponsible statements, which covered a wide array of topics including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism efforts, state of bilateral relations, and nuclear capabilities.

“Regrettably, these statements reflect an unhealthy and entrenched obsession with Pakistan and reveal a deliberate intent to exploit hyper-nationalism for electoral gains. They also signify a desperate attempt to deflect attention from mounting domestic and international criticism,” she added.

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“The bravado and jingoism exhibited by Indian leaders expose a reckless and extremist mindset. This mindset calls into question India’s capacity to be a responsible steward of its strategic capability.”

On the other hand, she continued that the purpose of Pakistan’s strategic capability was to safeguard its sovereignty and defend its territorial integrity.

“Pakistan has also clearly demonstrated its resolve to defend itself in the past, and would not hesitate to do so in the future should the Indian side choose to embark on a misadventure.”

The FO spokesperson pointed out that just a few months ago, Islamabad had exposed details of New Delhi’s campaign of extrajudicial and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil.

She added that India’s continuous emphasis on its readiness to take aggressive actions within Pakistan constituted a tacit admission of guilt.

“Regarding the inflammatory rhetoric about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, we reiterate that historical facts, legal principles, moral considerations, and ground realities refute India's baseless claims.

“Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally-recognised disputed territory, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly mandate a plebiscite under UN auspices for its final determination.

No amount of inflated Indian statements can change this reality. India should, therefore, focus on implementing these resolutions instead of indulging in fantasies of grandeur.”

The spokesperson highlighted that the vision of peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia could only be realised through the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, as well as a shift from confrontation to cooperation.