ISLAMABAD: Reacting to top Indian commander’s call for diplomatic isolation of Pakistan for its alleged support to terrorism, the Foreign Office on Friday urged the international community to hold India to account for mistreating its religious minorities and unprecedented repression in occupied Kashmir.

“We also expect that the world community would take cognizance of the BJP government’s desperate attem­pts to divert attention from the unacceptable situation in IOJ&K, growing domestic protest against discriminatory laws and practices, and its unabashed animus towards India’s minorities,” the FO said in a statement issued in response to remarks made by Indian Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat. He had said: “Any country that is sponsoring terrorism has to be taken to task. I feel blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force is one good measure. Diplomatic isolation, you have to do this.”

The FO described the remarks as “highly irresponsible”. It added the remarks reflected “the extremist mindset and bankrupt thinking” of Indian state institutions.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020