ISLAMABAD: To Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said sponsoring terrorism to counter terrorism confirms the government’s assertions of Indian involvement in terrorism on Pakistani soil.
The Indian defence minister’s statement is open and blatant admission and declaration of sponsoring terrorism.
The Indian defence minister had said, “We have to neutralise terrorists through terrorists only. Why can’t we do it? We should do it. Why does my soldier have to do it?” He had added that this issue couldn’t be discussed beyond this.
In a statement, Asif said the Indian defence minister specifically mentioned that regulations would not be used to quell terrorism instead terrorism would be fanned.
This is the worst kind of declaration by a state functionary of cabinet level, which confirms that India is sponsoring terrorism against its neighbours in the name of preventing terrorist activities, he added.
Separately, Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid said the Indian defence minister’s statement was dangerous for regional peace and it had exposed Indian designs.
World needed peace, but India was talking of terrorism, the minister said in a statement.
He said that India was committing worst state terrorism in Indian-held Kashmir. Representatives of human rights organisations were not being allowed by the Indian government to visit the occupied valley, he added.
He said, “World needs peace, progress and prosperity and international powers should play their role in this regard.”
Later, speaking at a ceremony of Dastarbandi at Al-Khalil Quran Complex in Rawalpindi, Rashid stressed the need for spreading the teachings of Quran and Sunnah to make Pakistan a peaceful and prosperous country.
The minister said terrorism affected every department of the country and damaged the society. He said the government wanted to give a better future to coming generations.
He said terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, harmed the image of Pakistan. He said traders, industrialists and tourists stopped to come to Pakistan as a result of terrorism. Rashid said, “By following Aswa-e-Hasna, we can spread the teachings of Islam in the world which abhor terrorism and gives lesson of unity, harmony and brotherhood.” He said Islam teaches to save the lives of the people.
He said clerics should avoid statements that divide the society and should play their role for creating unity among the people. He regretted the suicide attack in Saudi Arabia, which claimed lives of 21 Shia Muslim worshippers. The minister added that terrorism is a path of destruction.
The minister distributed certificates among those who learnt the holy Quran by heart and also performed dastarbandi. He praised the services of the founder of Al-Khalil Quran Complex Hafiz Khalil for promoting the teachings of Quran.
[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/25-May-2015/pakistan-hits-back-at-india-over-terrorism-remarks]