Islamabad (Staff Reporter):
Pakistan has categorically rejected what it termed as irresponsible remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reaffirming that Islamabad will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
During an event in Madras, the Indian foreign minister, without naming Pakistan, stated that if a country deliberately, persistently, and without remorse continues terrorism, India has the right to defend its people. Responding to the statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that any unilateral violation of the Indus Waters Treaty by India would harm regional stability and raise serious questions about New Delhi’s credibility as a state that claims to respect international legal obligations.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern over India’s unilateral actions regarding the treaty, terming them illegal and a red line for the country. The Foreign Office accused India of promoting terrorism and fueling regional instability, stating that India’s role in sponsoring terrorist activities, particularly against Pakistan, is well known.
The spokesperson referred to the arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav from Balochistan in March 2016 as a clear example of state-sponsored terrorism against Pakistan. The Foreign Office further highlighted repeated incidents of extra-territorial killings, sabotage through proxies, and covert support for terrorist networks as deeply alarming.
It was stated that such actions align with Hindutva extremist ideology and its violent supporters. The spokesperson also pointed out that militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), based in Afghanistan, carry out cross-border attacks against Pakistan with alleged Indian support.
Referring to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to continue providing political, moral, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.