Daily Times

Islamabad on Saturday categorically rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s insinuation of Pakistan’s involvement in Pulwama attack by alluding to recent remarks made by Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry in the National Assembly.

“This is a brazen attempt to twist the remarks of the federal minister, who was referring to the befitting response given by the Pakistan Armed Forces in broad day-light to India’s ill-conceived misadventure of 26 February 2019, in violation of the UN Charter and international law,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.

The reaction came after Indian PM Modi earlier in the day referred to the recent remarks by Fawad Chaudhry as admission by Pakistan over its role in the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed over 40 troops in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Fawad already clarified that his statement was referring to the response given by Pakistan after India sent its fighter jets across the border. Indian media, however, distorted his remarks by suggesting that the minister was referring to the Pulwama attack.

“It is the BJP leadership’s incurable obsession with Pakistan that impels them to invariably blame Pakistan for their own failings and shortcomings,” the statement added.

“Most notably, it has been a part and parcel of the BJP’s electoral strategy to raise the Pakistan ‘bogey’ in the attempt to galvanise voters’ support, while seeking to divert public attention from their domestic and foreign policy failures,” it said.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan firmly believes that the biggest beneficiary of the February 2019 attack was the BJP government, as it helped it to win landslide victory in general elections following their virulent anti-Pakistan campaign.

“On the other hand, to this day, India has failed to provide any credible evidence of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Pulwama attack,” the statement read.

It said the BJP regime is advised, once again, to stop dragging Pakistan into India’s domestic politics, especially at the time of elections in India. Instead of mobilising the electorate through stoking of anti-Pakistan sentiments, the BJP leadership would be well-advised to win voter support by demonstrating actual performance in meeting the expectations of the Indian people.