- Spokesman Andrabi calls Indian remarks “absurd, unjustified.”
- Says India’s criticism of Pakistan’s actions “shamefully hypocritical.”
- stresses that Pakistan will continue self-defense actions according to the law.
Pakistan hit back at India on Saturday, calling its criticism of Pakistan’s precise Afghan counter-terror operations “absurd and unjustified” and exposing India’s role in supporting terrorism and flouting international law.
This was disclosed by Tahir Andrabi, spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, who was responding to media queries regarding Pakistan’s response to a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
“The remarks made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs about Pakistan’s legitimate, targeted and precise actions against terrorist hideouts and support bases inside Afghanistan are not only absurd and unjustified, but also shamefully hypocritical.”
He added, “India’s active support and sponsorship of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, are well known.
“Therefore, India’s frustration at the destruction of its terrorist franchise in Afghanistan, as reflected in such statements, is quite understandable.”
Andrabi went on to accuse India of human rights abuses, saying: “India, a serial violator of human rights and international law, continues to illegally occupy Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in violation of the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and has been responsible for committing state terrorism in the occupied territory.”
He further criticized India’s domestic and regional policies: “Guided by Hindutva extremist ideology, it also continues to systematically marginalize its minorities, spread Islamophobia, and even resort to arms embargoes in violation of its treaty obligations.
“India has not only played the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan but also in the entire region.”
On India’s legitimacy to comment on Pakistan’s actions, he said: “With such shameful credentials, India is unable to make such statements and must instead focus on refraining from fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan from Afghan soil.”
He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s position: “Pakistan, for its part, is determined to take all appropriate measures in self-defense and to protect its citizens in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.”
