Sharp reaction: Pakistani envoy slams Indian media
The envoy said that military authorities should be left to handle the situation rather than pointing fingers.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Salman Bashir on Sunday took a jab at the Indian media for its tendency to whip people up into a frenzy instead of facilitating a dialogue to address issues. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
NEW DEHLI:
Some 48 hours after the Indian president launched a tirade against Pakistan over its alleged export of terrorism, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Salman Bashir on Sunday took a jab at the Indian media for its tendency to whip people up into a frenzy instead of facilitating a dialogue to address issues.
Criticising the Indian media for its focus on the “so-called incursions and infiltrations” the envoy said that military authorities should be left to handle the situation rather than pointing fingers.
Talking to reporters in Hyderabad, Bashir said that Pakistan wanted peace on the contentious Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and was ready for dialogue on all issues.
“Let us sit together and address the issues in a civilised way instead of whipping people up into a frenzy and creating hysteria. It does no good to anybody,” he said.
Terming as baseless the narrative in the Indian media about infiltrations from Pakistan on the LoC, the high commissioner called for a broad range engagement between the two countries to improve bilateral ties.
“If we are going to talk about infiltrations and incursions, then we must also talk about something which is very important and which needs objective reflection in Pakistan, in this country and elsewhere,” he added.
Reluctant to level the blame, Bashir questioned who was sponsoring terrorists who are targeting civilians, the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence.
“We have evidence which we have shared and we are prepared to share with the rest of the world and particularly with the government of India on these aspects about episodes of terrorism in Pakistan,” he said.
The high commissioner added, “If you want I can vitiate the atmosphere by spelling out those concerns but I don’t want finger pointing. Let us address each other’s concerns... that is the way forward and that is the logical, rational and civilised way. Let us not do this through media.
Taking a swipe at the Indian president, Bashir said “whoever is making the argument that they (infiltrators) have not descended from heaven, I want to ask who is involved in heinous acts of terrorism in Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2013.
Some 48 hours after the Indian president launched a tirade against Pakistan over its alleged export of terrorism, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Salman Bashir on Sunday took a jab at the Indian media for its tendency to whip people up into a frenzy instead of facilitating a dialogue to address issues.
Criticising the Indian media for its focus on the “so-called incursions and infiltrations” the envoy said that military authorities should be left to handle the situation rather than pointing fingers.
Talking to reporters in Hyderabad, Bashir said that Pakistan wanted peace on the contentious Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and was ready for dialogue on all issues.
“Let us sit together and address the issues in a civilised way instead of whipping people up into a frenzy and creating hysteria. It does no good to anybody,” he said.
Terming as baseless the narrative in the Indian media about infiltrations from Pakistan on the LoC, the high commissioner called for a broad range engagement between the two countries to improve bilateral ties.
“If we are going to talk about infiltrations and incursions, then we must also talk about something which is very important and which needs objective reflection in Pakistan, in this country and elsewhere,” he added.
Reluctant to level the blame, Bashir questioned who was sponsoring terrorists who are targeting civilians, the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence.
“We have evidence which we have shared and we are prepared to share with the rest of the world and particularly with the government of India on these aspects about episodes of terrorism in Pakistan,” he said.
The high commissioner added, “If you want I can vitiate the atmosphere by spelling out those concerns but I don’t want finger pointing. Let us address each other’s concerns... that is the way forward and that is the logical, rational and civilised way. Let us not do this through media.
Taking a swipe at the Indian president, Bashir said “whoever is making the argument that they (infiltrators) have not descended from heaven, I want to ask who is involved in heinous acts of terrorism in Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2013.