Pakistan rejects Indian External Affairs Minister’s irresponsible assertions: FO

Islamabad: (Web Desk): Pakistan on Saturday strongly rejected the irresponsible assertions made by the Indian External Affairs Minister, aimed at deflecting attention from its own troubling record as a neighbour that promotes terrorism and contributes to regional instability.

Responding to questions from journalists, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that India’s role in encouraging and supporting terrorist activities in the region, especially within Pakistan, is widely documented and cannot be denied through rhetoric.

He cited the case of Indian naval officer Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav as a glaring illustration of coordinated, state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilising Pakistan. 

Ambassador Andrabi further warned that repeated reports of targeted killings beyond borders, acts of sabotage carried out via proxies, and covert assistance to militant groups were deeply troubling.

He said this consistent pattern mirrored the violent mindset associated with Hindutva-inspired extremism.

The FO spokesperson also drew attention to what he termed India’s continued illegal and oppressive military control of Jammu and Kashmir.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan remains committed to extending full political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle to exercise their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. 

Turning to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Ambassador Andrabi stressed that the agreement is a binding international pact concluded in good faith and at significant cost.

He cautioned that any unilateral breach of the treaty by India would endanger regional stability and raise serious doubts about its credibility as a state that claims to respect international legal commitments.

“Pakistan will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights under the Treaty,” the FO spokesperson said.