Desperate bid to hide its failings: India jabs Pak's Khawaja Asif over war threat
India on Tuesday said that Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's recent war threat was a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the state-backed atrocities being committed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India on Tuesday hit back at Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his recent war threat, saying the remark was a desperate attempt by Islamabad to deflect attention from its human rights abuses. This came as New Delhi highlighted the brutal crackdown on ongoing anti-establishment protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
"Regarding the comments made by the Pakistani Defence Minister, we have seen reports on the matter. Such remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and divert attention away from its human rights abuses. We categorically reject these fabricated claims with the contempt they deserve," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing.
He added, "The ongoing developments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long policy of systematic economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation. The Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, including the blocking of essential supplies and medicines, internet blackouts, and the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians."
The official also called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for the clampdown on the protests in PoK. "As you know, several people have lost their lives as a result. We hope that the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its actions, misdeeds, and human rights abuses," Jaiswal stated.
The statement came three days after Asif warned that Islamabad could resort to military action if it deemed India's moves on the Indus River system as detrimental to Pakistan's water security. According to news agency ANI, while speaking to a Pakistani news channel on Saturday, he said, "The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India. Definitely."
The provocative remark was part of broader rhetoric in which several Pakistani state and non-state actors have targeted India since New Delhi put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last year. India maintains that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan undertakes concrete measures to dismantle its state-sponsored cross-border terror infrastructure.
India on Tuesday hit back at Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his recent war threat, saying the remark was a desperate attempt by Islamabad to deflect attention from its human rights abuses. This came as New Delhi highlighted the brutal crackdown on ongoing anti-establishment protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
"Regarding the comments made by the Pakistani Defence Minister, we have seen reports on the matter. Such remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and divert attention away from its human rights abuses. We categorically reject these fabricated claims with the contempt they deserve," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing.
He added, "The ongoing developments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long policy of systematic economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation. The Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, including the blocking of essential supplies and medicines, internet blackouts, and the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians."
The official also called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for the clampdown on the protests in PoK. "As you know, several people have lost their lives as a result. We hope that the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its actions, misdeeds, and human rights abuses," Jaiswal stated.
The statement came three days after Asif warned that Islamabad could resort to military action if it deemed India's moves on the Indus River system as detrimental to Pakistan's water security. According to news agency ANI, while speaking to a Pakistani news channel on Saturday, he said, "The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India. Definitely."
The provocative remark was part of broader rhetoric in which several Pakistani state and non-state actors have targeted India since New Delhi put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last year. India maintains that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan undertakes concrete measures to dismantle its state-sponsored cross-border terror infrastructure.
