India asking Pakistan to create violence-free environment is ironic: Aziz

India’s reaction on CPEC has unmasked its true face, says Chaudhry Nisar

ISLAMABAD: The prime minister’s senior aide Sartaj Aziz termed on Tuesday India’s requests for Pakistan to create an environment free of violence as ‘ironic.’

“When India keeps violating ceasefire at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, indulges in worst human rights violations against helpless Kashmiris in Indian occupied Kashmir, and undertakes subversive activities in Pakistan, then asking Pakistan to create an environment free of violence only sounds ironic,” Aziz said.

Responding to India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's statement that dialogue between India and Pakistan will only be held under the condition that Pakistan takes action against terrorists like Lakhvi and others for carrying out terror acts in India, Aziz said, "As regards the Mumbai trial, it is proceeding in the court of law."

Read: No talks until Pakistan takes action against Lakhvi: Indian external affairs minister

"Indian concern over slow progress calls into question their own reluctance to cooperate by not allowing the Judicial Commission's visit to India until September 2013,” he added

“Pakistan has its concerns too. Information on the trial of Indian Military's active service officers named by the RSS member Swami Aseemanand, who was the mastermind, has not been shared,” the adviser upheld.

“Scores of Pakistanis lost lives in the Samjhota terrorist incident. Samjhota happened two years earlier than Mumbai attacks. The victims' families are still waiting for delivery of justice,” Aziz added.

The premier's senior aide further clarified, "Pakistan's policy all along has been that all outstanding disputes, particularly the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir should be resolved through dialogue."

"Pakistan has conveyed to India that it remains committed to dialogue, provided India is ready," Aziz added.

"Pakistan believes in a sustained, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue. Pakistan also believes that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are important stakeholders in the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute since they have yet to exercise their right to self-determination as enshrined in numerous UN Resolutions."

Read: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ‘unacceptable’, Modi tells China

Further, Aziz expressed shock over India terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ‘unacceptable.’

Dismissing India's concerns, Aziz said the mega project is all about regional connectivity, economic development and prosperity of the common people of the entire region.

Read: Pakistan dismisses India's concerns over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

"Pakistan maintains a policy of non-interference in other countries' bilateral relations and expects the same from others to refrain from commenting on Pakistan's bilateral relations with other countries," he added.

Repeating the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson's statement, Aziz said, "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a major cooperation framework between the two countries and is not against any third party."

India’s reaction on CPEC has unmasked its true face, says Nisar

Interior Miniser Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Tuesday that India’s reaction to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had ripped the mask of its true face before the world.

Nisar said the Indian reaction was a clear proof that they were not happy to see Pakistan prospering and developing.

His comments came after a statement from Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parikar, wherein he allegedly accepted responsibility of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. Nisar said that the subsequent statement from the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed that India not only wanted to destabilise Pakistan, but also wants to keep Pakistan from progressing by any means.

Calling Modi’s statement an ‘eye-opener’ for all those who praising India for its democratic credentials, Nisar warned that Pakistan’s desire for peace must not be mistaken for weakness.

Reiterating the country’s commitment to defeat terrorism in all of its forms, Nisar stated that the whole country is united to carry forward the CPEC.

The minister said that CPEC demonstrates the commitment of both China and Pakistan to work together not only for the benefit of the people the two countries but also for the prosperity and socio-economic betterment of the region.