Pakistan warns India against issuing ‘provocative’ statements

Published December 13, 2014
— Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam
— Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan strongly reacted on Saturday to Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's ‘provocative’ statement saying the country was fully capable to defend itself and thwart any aggression.

According to a report published on The Times of India website on Friday, Parrikar warned Pakistan of a “strong response” after alleging it for aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism.

“I feel that there has to be some strong response which will once and for all reduce these blatant attempts. It's an open secret that they (militants) came from Pakistan,” said the newly sworn-in defence minister who has replaced Arun Jaitley – the current finance minister of India.

Jaitley was also criticised by Pakistan for issuing a statement in which he threatened the neighbouring country to choose between Indian government and Kashmiri separatist leaders.

“Allegations levelled against Pakistan in such statements by Indian Ministers are unfounded and provocative,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in a statement issued here today.

She said such statements were not conducive to peace in the region. The spokesperson warned that there must not be any miscalculation about Pakistan's resolve to defend itself and thwart any aggression.

Parrikar’s statement came following his first official visit to Indian-held Kashmir to review the security situation there.

India had called off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan in August after the Pakistani envoy met Kashmiri separatists on the eve of the dialogue.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...