FO rejects ‘baseless propaganda’ against Pakistan by Indian leadership regarding terror financing

Published November 21, 2022
A photo combo showing Indian prime minister Narendra Modi (L), Home Minister Amit Shah (2L) and external affairs minister S Jaishankar (R).
A photo combo showing Indian prime minister Narendra Modi (L), Home Minister Amit Shah (2L) and external affairs minister S Jaishankar (R).

Foreign Office (FO) on Monday firmly rejected “all references and insinuations” made against Pakistan by Indian leaders last week regarding terror financing.

The remarks were made by three India leaders — including prime minister Narendra Modi — at the “No Money for Terror” conference hosted in New Delhi, which was attended by representatives of 72 countries.

Modi claimed that certain countries support terrorists as part of their foreign policy by offering “political, ideological and financial support to them” — a statement the Indian media portrayed to be about Pakistan.

The Indian external affairs minister, S Jaishankar alleged that there was “cross-border support” behind terrorist attacks through various terrorist groups.

He claimed that groups such as “Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad or Harkatul Mujahideen and their proxies thrive on assured financial support to commit barbaric acts of terror on Indian soil”.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that strict economic crackdown should be launched against “terror haven” countries whose governments have made terrorism their state policy — a statement termed by Indian media as a “veiled attack” on Pakistan.

The FO rebutted the “baseless propaganda” from the Indian side by mentioning its removal this October from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.

It also called out India for its “relentless terror campaign in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK)” where “security forces terrorise, torment and torture innocent Kashmiris with impunity, every day”.

Citing the acquittal of various criminals by the Indian courts — including the main suspect of the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast that killed 43 Pakistanis and 11 convicts of the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case during the 2002 Godhra riots in Gujarat — the FO castigated India for “harbouring and protecting terrorists”.

It also accused India of deliberately withholding “witnesses and credible evidence from Pakistani courts” during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks trial despite repeated requests over the last fourteen years.

Furthermore, the FO mentioned Indian Naval commander Kulbhushan Yadav as “undeniable proof of India’s direct involvement in sabotage and terror”.

It urged the international community to “hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK, its patronage of terrorist entities and for fomenting terror in neighbouring countries”.

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....