Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sunday advised the Indian government and leaders to avoid war mongering mantra and de-escalate the tensions created in the aftermath of Pulwama incident, besides halting the continuing atrocities against the Kashmiri people in the occupied valley. Addressing media following a consultative meeting held at the Foreign Office in view of the worsening situation in Indian-held Kashmir after the Pulwama attack, the foreign minister warned the Indian government against even thinking of a misadventure and reminded that the whole Pakistani nation, leadership, political parties and armed forces are united. “Pakistan is a peaceful country. But, I have a clear message for India: if you think we can be pressured, then stop thinking this,” he said.
Drawing attention to the plight of the Kashmiris, who have faced a violent backlash from Indian troops in the occupied valley in the aftermath of the attack, Qureshi said the youth of occupied Kashmir will not be subdued. “The Kashmiri youth will not be subdued or suppressed,” the foreign minister said, as he reminded India of the words said by former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, “you can put them in prison but you cannot imprison their thoughts.” Qureshi regretted the recent deployment of an additional 10,000 Indian soldiers in the valley and the dozens of arrests carried out in the wake of the attack. “Hurriyat leadership is being arrested, there is fear in the valley, dozens of people are being detained,” he lamented, as he called on India to end its war-mongering tactics. “Pakistan is taking steps to ease the tensions. I urge the Indian leadership to exercise restraint and to ends its irresponsible attitude,” he said.
The foreign minister also called on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) government to stop fueling hatred for the purpose of furthering its agenda ahead of the general elections, while condemning the killing of a Pakistani prisoner in India and threats to a bakery in Bangalore named after Karachi.
Earlier in the day, Qureshi chaired an important consultative meeting at the Foreign Office in Islamabad, which was attended by former foreign secretaries and diplomats. The meeting was convened in view of the worsening situation in the occupied valley as well as aggressive designs of India.
Published in Daily Times, February 25th 2019.
