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

Editorial

Open discord
29 Mar, 2023

Open discord

It is now seen that even the country’s top judges are not immune to uncharitable public opinion after they hang up their robes.
A milestone
29 Mar, 2023

A milestone

WITH Humza Yousaf poised to become First Minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous government, some of the top public...
A grave hazard
29 Mar, 2023

A grave hazard

IN these stressful times, all distractions are welcome. According to a recent report, carried by this paper, the...
Internal chaos
28 Mar, 2023

Internal chaos

The govt seems to be having great trouble asserting itself while remaining within the limits of the law.
Health insurance
28 Mar, 2023

Health insurance

IT is frustrating to watch a major public welfare initiative meant to ensure universal health coverage for 25m...
HDT chief’s detention
28 Mar, 2023

HDT chief’s detention

RATHER than lending a sympathetic ear to the people of Balochistan, the state’s response more often than not is to...