ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Monday rejected Indian Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s allegation that Islamabad “responded with hostility” to his peace overtures in the past, warning that such a narrative vitiated the bilateral environment.
Responding to the remarks made by the Indian prime minister during a podcast, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the anti-Pakistan narrative, emanating from India, impeded the prospects for peace and cooperation and it must stop.
In in the podcast with American computer scientist, released on Sunday, Modi alleged that “every attempt to foster peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal” and that he hoped that “wisdom would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad” to improve the bilateral ties.
“The remarks are misleading and one-sided,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said. They conveniently omit the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remains unresolved for last seven decades despite India’s solemn assurances to the United Nations, Pakistan and the Kashmiri people,” he added.
Khan highlighted that India’s fictitious narrative of victimhood could not hide its involvement in fomenting terrorism on Pakistan’s soil and the state-sanctioned oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
“Instead of blaming others, India should reflect on its own record of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories,” he said.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan had always advocated constructive engagement and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. “However, peace and stability in South Asia has remained hostage to India’s rigid approach and hegemonic ambitions.”
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
