Daily Times

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Sunday said the government has reliable intelligence that India can launch another aggression against Pakistan between April 16 to 20.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said India is planning an aggressive move against Pakistan. “As per wishes of the nation and the international laws, Pakistan will, however, respond effectively,” he asserted. “Following the Pulwama incident, Modi government created a war hysteria and tried to damage peace of the region,” he said, and added that Modi put peace of the region in jeopardy just for political gains.

Qureshi said Pakistan has always behaved like a responsible state but India’s behaviour has always been irresponsible. “Recently Modi chaired a meeting of cabinet committee on security in which the heads of Indian forces sought permission for aggression against Pakistan and Modi gave them a freehand,” he revealed. “India can attack military targets in Pakistan,” he said, and added that Pakistan is drawing attention of the international community on the expected aggression by the eastern neighbour.

The foreign minister said India can stage another Pulwama-type incident to justify its misadventure against Pakistan. “If India attacks Pakistan, just think what will be its impacts on the regional peace and stability,” he said.

The minister said Foreign Office has already shared its concerns with diplomats of P-5 countries. “Pakistan wants that the international community should take notice of irresponsible attitude of India and stop it from damaging peace of the region,” he said.

Qureshi said when India violated the Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistani airspace, the international community remained silent. He said the international community should not be a silent spectator but play role for maintaining peace in the region. “In order to gain political mileage, Modi is putting regional peace at stake,” he remarked.

The foreign minister observed that India made three claims related to surgical strike, including targeting of three terrorists camps, killing 350 terrorists, and shooting down F-16 plane of Pakistan. “But all of these have proved baseless as international community including the US has rejected those,” he said, adding that the new planning of attack by India can be dangerous for the region.

“Pakistan released Indian pilot as a goodwill gesture for peace of the region as we wanted to de-escalate the situation. Despite the Indian aggression, Pakistan sent its delegation for dialogue to finalise terms and conditions for opening of Kartarpur corridor. The second phase of dialogue was scheduled for April 2 at Wahga border but India cancelled these talks,” Qureshi observed. “Despite all these steps, Pakistan once again decided to release 360 Indian prisoners as a peace gesture,” he said, and added that Pakistan wants the international community to acknowledge as to who is endeavouring for peace and who is putting it in jeopardy.

“Again, let the world see Pakistan’s true image and an obstinate behaviour of India and let it decide who wants peace and who has political designs,” the minister said, and added that Pakistan always wished for peace and will continue the same spirit in future. “Talks are the only way forward to settle issues including Kashmir, water, Sir Creek, corridors and economic cooperation, between the two nuclear states,” he said. Responding to a query, the minister categorically said Pakistan reserves the right to safeguard its frontiers. “The morale of Pakistan’s armed forces and masses is very high and they are united against any sort of aggression,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office on Sunday summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner to warn his country against any misadventure targeting Pakistan.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Faisal, in a tweet, said the Indian DHC was also handed over a demarche in line with the foreign minister’s press briefing earlier in the day.