Pakistan on Saturday brushed aside India’s criticism of its counterterror operations inside Afghanistan, calling the remarks “absurd and unwarranted” and turning the spotlight back on New Delhi, accusing it of supporting terrorism and flouting international law.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi made the remarks while responding to media queries about Pakistan’s reaction to a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
“The remarks by the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India regarding Pakistan's legitimate, targeted and precise actions against terrorist hideouts and support bases inside Afghanistan are not only absurd and unwarranted but also shamefully hypocritical.”
He added, “India's active support and sponsorship of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, are well known.
"Therefore, India's frustration at the destruction of its terrorist franchise in Afghanistan, as reflected in such statements, is quite understandable.”
Andrabi went on to accuse India of human rights violations, saying, “India, a serial violator of human rights and international law, continues to illegally occupy Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in violation of the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and has been responsible for perpetrating state terrorism in the occupied territory.”
He further criticised India’s domestic and regional policies: “Guided by Hindutva extremist ideology, it also continues to systematically marginalise its minorities, spread Islamophobia, and has even weaponised water in contravention of its treaty obligations.
"India has not only played the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan, but also in the entire region.”
On India’s legitimacy to comment on Pakistan’s actions, he said, “With such shameful credentials, India is in no position to make such statements and must instead focus on refraining from stoking terrorism inside Pakistan from Afghan soil.”
He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s stance: “For its part, Pakistan remains determined to take all appropriate actions in self-defence and to protect its citizens in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.”
