Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry Wednesday said Indian demands of Kulbhushan Jadhav’s acquittal, release and handing him over to India were ‘childish’.
Talking to reporters after the parliamentary party meeting of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf before the start of National Assembly session, the minister expressed the hope that International Court of Justice will give the verdict in Indian spy case on merit. He said that Pakistani counsel Khawar Qureshi has ripped apart Indian case by raising three questions which India failed to provide any answer to.
“Questions raised by Pakistan include as to why India has not provided documentary evidence of the before-time retirement of Kulbhushan Jadhav at the age of 47; why he was carrying authentic Indian passport at the time of arrest; and if Kulbhoshan was abducted from Chabahar, as India claims, why did not India ask Iran to hold investigation into the matter as travel time between the Iranian city and Quetta is not less than nine hours,” he said, and added that all Indian claims are based on lies.
On Pulwama attack, Fawad said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should contest upcoming general election on the basis of his performance and by not fanning anti-Pakistan sentiments among the voters. He said India is habitual of blaming Pakistan without any evidences or investigations, adding that Indian attitude is strongly condemnable.
Minister hopes International Court of Justice will give verdict in Kulbhushan Jadhav case on merit
He said that Pakistan’s foreign ministry has shown very impressive performance on the issue of Pulwama attack and international community including European Union as well as Muslim Ummah are not ready to accept Indian stance on the recent stand-off.
He said Pakistan wants decrease in tension and is interested in normalization of the situation.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan has given clear offer of cooperation in investigation and dialogue on the issue to defuse the tension as talks are the sole means to resolve issues between the nations. However, he said, any misadventure from India would be responded forcefully.
Fawad said the PTI parliamentary party also expressed its deep concern over the targeting of Muslims, especially Kashmiris, in India and Jammu by the hardliners. He said the human rights organizations of the world have been asked to take cognizance of these inhuman acts against the Muslims in India and the occupied valley. He said the prime minster has asked ministries of human rights and foreign affairs to highlight human rights abuses of Indian Muslims at all relevant forums.
Published in Daily Times, February 21st 2019.
