ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has firmly rejected recent spate of ‘false terrorism-related assertions’ by India, stating that some detached reported incidents were being presented as a ‘so-called ‘terror’ plot’. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that recent false accusations were “nothing but continuation of sinister Indian design to yet again raise ‘terrorism’ bogey to malign Pakistan.”

It noted that in order to build on this orchestrated ‘terrorism’ narrative against Pakistan, a section of Indian media reported that India had intercepted a message from a ‘Pakistani’ WhatsApp number as well as seized an ‘empty boat’ in Maharashtra along with some weapons. Statement furthered that segments of Indian media deceitfully sought to link these to “preposterous claims about a so-called ‘Mumbai style’ attack being planned.” While strongly denouncing latest Indian insinuations and allegations, Pakistan called upon India “not to make any mistake again”.

Statement furthered, “Pakistan stands ready and resolute and is fully capable of effectively responding to any misadventure as was manifestly evident in response to India’s ill-advised and irresponsible action in February 2019.” FO spokesperson was alluding to when Indian planes violated Pakistani airspace and conducted air strikes inside Pakistani territory. Separately, Indian media also reported that Indian intelligence and border forces were on high alert for possible ‘cross-border infiltration’ attempts along Rajauri, it added.

“Mischievous Indian propaganda campaign and baseless allegations against Pakistan reflected its utter desperation emanating from its complete failure to break will of Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” added spox.“Possibility of a choreographed ‘false flag activity’ to target Pakistan and negatively affect its political and economic interests could not be ruled out, as Indian propaganda was pointing in that direction,” he asserted.

Statement maintained, “India must recognise that no amount of its false propaganda can deter Pakistan from exposing India’s brutalisation of the Kashmiri people through an unabated military siege, indiscriminate use of force, extra-judicial killings, incarceration of Kashmiri leaders and youth, a crackdown on media and human rights activists and denial of access to international human rights and humanitarian organisations to IIOJK.”  Pakistan also urged international community to take immediate cognisance of fact that India was yet again resorting to classic ‘false flag’ methods to advance its sinister designs and that this could have serious implications for peace and security in region. “International community must urge India to act responsibly,” FO said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 22 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.