Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Pakistan has long accused India of stoking violence in Balochistan – a province which has been plagued by a deadly Baloch insurgency since 2004. On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said the ‘evidence of Indian interference’ in Balochistan has been shared with ‘relevant forums’.
Jilani’s disclosure comes at a time when Indian officials have stepped up a blame game against Pakistan through the media. Apparently, a meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries has failed to lower temperatures, at least in New Delhi.
“Levelling allegations against Pakistan in the media is mere propaganda,” Jilani told journalists outside the Parliament House. The two neighbours should instead make an effort to resolve bilateral issues, he added.
“Pakistan’s position is consistent and is aimed at resolving issues through talks. There is no alternative to negotiations. It is our desire to resolve all issues between the two countries through peaceful means.”
The foreign secretary said Pakistan was as much concerned about terrorism as India and such issues should be discussed at proper forums instead of raising them through the media. “If India is concerned about terrorism, we are more concerned about it.”
Jilani’s statement came after Indian President Pranab Mukherjee pointed fingers at Pakistan regarding terrorism for two days straight. During his trip to Turkey on Saturday, he asked Pakistan to “honour its solemn commitment of not allowing the territory under its control to be used for terrorism which is directed against India”.
He added: “India is firmly resolved to combat and defeat the menace of terrorism that continues to receive encouragement and reinforcement from across the border.”
On Friday, Mukherjee accused Pakistan of slipping into the ‘dangerous orbit of terrorism’. “Terrorist activities must be curbed. And state-sponsored terrorism can never be accepted,” he told Euronews in an interview.
Mukherjee’s tirade came barely a week after the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The two leaders had agreed to lower tensions along the Line of Control in the disputed Himalayan state of Kashmir as the first step towards achieving durable peace in the region.
But soon after – and even before – accusations against Pakistan were making headlines in India. First, Bhartiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi vowed a tough stand against Pakistan if his party was voted to power in next year’s general elections. Then Indian generals alleged that Pakistan’s special forces had facilitated a major infiltration of militants in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Drone strikes
The US drone campaign in tribal regions has been a contentious issue between Islamabad and Washington. The issue figured in Premier Nawaz’s speech at the UN General Assembly. However, the US administration has refused to call off the deadly campaign despite repeated protests from Islamabad.
Foreign Secretary Jilani said on Saturday that the prime minister would take up the issue of drone strikes in his meeting with President Barack Obama some time in this month and at all other forums.
Asked about the release of the former top aide of Taliban’s elusive spiritual leader Mullah Omar, Jilani said Pakistan’s decision to free Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was part of the Afghan reconciliation process and that he was not being handed over to any country.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2013.
COMMENTS (13)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732617223-0/Untitled-design-(69)1732617223-0-270x192.webp "rawalpindi paralysed for third day amid pti protest")
@Someone: pakis im scared.
Indian media cry is a propaganda campaign it has no reality and firm foundation in regard to the infiltration. And as being said by some concerned quarters familar with the ground situation has called for both the neighboures to address the relevant issues through bilateral talks instead of whipping frenzy.
No doubt, negotiations is better way leading to peace and prosperity and the betterment of the people of both the countries.
In fact terror world want to increase conflict between two nuclear armed states which goes in their favoure not in favoure of the people of both the countries.
@Someone: first try to own your own nation. every day americans are bombing you with smart bombs yet you people didn't become smart? you will hunted down.
India should hand over Indian occupied Kashmir to its owner, Pakistan, stop terrorism in Balochistan and also grant independence to Khalistan, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and all other states. These are not conditions but demands. If India complies, then, maybe then, Pakistanis can allow peace in India.
slipping into the ‘dangerous orbit of terrorism’. state-sponsored terrorism can never be accepted,”
Pakistan this time is not in position to do such things.Pakistan's prime minister repeatedly offered for dialogue on the issues.
ground reality and the situation does not support the allegation,hence allegations are groundless.
Indian generals alleged that Pakistan’s special forces had facilitated a major infiltration of militants in Indian-administered Kashmir.
the allegation,as above reffered is not new It is old one and has been repeated many time in the past.
In reponse,Pakistan offored a fair and impartial investigation but no positive reponse appeared from the other side.Some time felt that as being ignored deliberately.
Blame game has begun and with its movement countdown has also has begun.
"If India is concerned about terrorism we are more concerned by it" Is this the best this Foreign Secretary can articulate. With skills like this we are lucky we are not doing worse. What does he say in closed door meeting with Indian counterpart. India: "We are upset" Pakistan FS" We are very upset". India: "We are very upset". Pakistan FS: We are very VERY UPSET"!?
No one finds credibility in Pakistani statements. Why can't you make the evidence public? If India can raise the issue of Pakistan sponsored terrorism at all the international for a, what stops Pakistan doing the same?
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has made it clear that a ceasefire by the government for talks will not be acceptable without a complete halt to drone attacks.
And the State Depart still not in mood to halt the drones in the near future It mean releasing of Taliban resulted in no fruit.
Bomb blast in christtian church,died more than 80, crowded market insurgency, and thereafter a bus was targeted government employees were present therein these are targets in Pakistan,s increasingly violant domestic war,after releasing the Taliban extrimists from pakistani jails for supporting the peace process.what received in return????????????????????????????????????????????????????
It is very ironical that continuous atrocities of Indian army on line of control LOC and occupation on Kashmir since 1947 is yet unseen by the global community that Indian side is lying since 63 years but UNO, NATO and so called super power America are numbed over the situation..........when peace keeping bodies standard is base on lies then people of Kashmir of-course would try to resist with 900,000 Indian army present in Kashmir.
1- Where is United nation on Kashmir Issue since 1947 2- where is United nation on Palestine issue 3- where is united nation on Syria dispute
Perhaps UNO, NATO busy in cleaning america's backyard.....the ever SHAMEFUL situation of united nation
It should be ended now & both countries should take solid steps to improve the living-standerd of the poors across the border .
The two premier democratially elected having longstanding experience in politics and resolving the issue through negotiations,met in sildeline,held face on face discussion but failed to come to the agreed conclusion.
It mean, they have no such credibility as must have. people are facing undesireable circumstances dying every day but leaders has been trapped in political technology.
God the Almighty bless us all because the failed pair are head of the states armed with nuclear weapons.