ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has strongly rejected a highly irresponsible, provocative and gratuitous statement by the Indian defence minister threatening Pakistan and said his unfounded remarks are delusional and reflective of India’s characteristic hostility towards its neighbours.

“India’s smear campaign against Pakistan has been totally exposed and discredited. It has no takers in the international community,” the FO said in a statement on Sunday.

“It is no secret that Indian leaders engage in falsehoods and fantasies while pointing fingers at neighbours, including Pakistan. In doing so India wants to divert the attention of the international community from the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by the Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK),” it added.

The FO said Pakistan was fully capable of defending itself against any aggression, adding the entire world was witness to Pakistan’s capability and resolve in thwarting the Indian misadventure in February 2019.

“It is a well-documented fact that Indian occupation forces have been committing egregious human rights violations and grave crimes against innocent Kashmiris in IIOJK, including extra-judicial killings, custodial deaths, torture, arbitrary detentions, using people including innocent children as human shield, and collective punishment by demolishing homes,” it added.

The FO said the dossier presented by Pakistan to the international community in September 2021 contained incontrovertible evidence of gross and systematic human rights violations and crimes against humanity by Indian occupation forces in IIOJK.

“Indian government’s frustration is evident from the fact that despite its unabated state terrorism in IIOJK, it has utterly failed to silence the peaceful voices of Kashmiris demanding their right to self-determination promised to them by the United Nations Security Council in its various resolutions.

“While fully prepared to respond to India’s provocations and irresponsible behaviour, Pakistan will continue to act responsibly and contribute to all efforts for promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond,” said the statement.

According to media reports, Indian Defe­nce Minister Rajnath Singh had on Saturday said that nothing would deter India from crossing over into Pakistan’s territory and conduct airstrikes.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2021