ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has said that India can fool no one but itself. Its actions stand totally exposed. Therefore, it would be well advised to halt forthwith the gross and systematic persecution of Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), cease the use of state-terrorism as a policy tool, and let the people of IIOJK determine their own future through a free and impartial plebiscite under the United Nations auspices as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad while addressing the weekly press briefing on Friday.
FO spokesperson started the briefing while reiterating Pakistan’s rejection and strongest condemnation of the highly derogatory remarks by two senior officials of India’s ruling BJP party, that were disrespectful towards Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and have hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world.
He said that the Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 6 June and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s categorical rejection and strong condemnation of the totally unacceptable remarks.
He said that Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the dangerous and hurtful comments emanating from these irresponsible leaders of India’s ruling party.
He said that Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood individually met the Envoys of P-5 countries; and also held a meeting with the OIC Ambassadors in Islamabad to apprise them of the matter and register Pakistan’s strong concern at the sharp increase in Islamophobia and targeting of Muslims in India.
He said that Pakistan has underscored that BJP’s perfunctory and token disciplinary action against those individuals was not sufficient to assuage the pain and anguish they have caused to Muslims worldwide. Nor would any attempt to whitewash rising ‘Hindutva’ nationalism in mainstream society by calling the BJP Spokesperson a ‘fringe element’ be of any avail.
“If India has any moral courage, or democratic ethos, the BJP top leadership and the Indian government must clearly condemn the actions of the responsible BJP officials, and hold them to account through decisive and demonstrable action. That may be a big ask in today’s “saffronized” India, but this is the least that is being expected of them” he said.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that this is important because it is not about an isolated incident. There are continuing serious concerns about the alarming rise in Islamophobia, and communal violence and hatred directed against Muslims and other minorities in India, who are being systematically stigmatized, marginalized and subjected to a well-orchestrated onslaught from radical Hindu mobs with full connivance and support of the security apparatus across various states in India. Regrettably, the Indian state machinery has remained aloof to the desperate calls for assistance by the local Muslim and minority communities across the country including Sikhs, Christians and Dalits.
He said that in clear contrast, while India persisted with its reprehensible campaign of “saffronization” resulting in victimization and persecution of Muslims and other minorities, Pakistan, in line with its policy of promoting interfaith harmony and religious tolerance, has issued 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, to participate in the annual festival being held in Pakistan from 8-17 June.
He said that during the visit, the pilgrims would, inter alia, go to Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib. We welcome the yatrees and wish them a spiritually fulfilling and enjoyable stay in Pakistan.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that in the continuing senseless spate of extra judicial killings by Indian occupation forces, 5 more innocent Kashmiri youth including a student of animal husbandry have been martyred in Baramulla, Kupwara and Shopian areas in the past week.
He said that in the same period, dozens of Kashmiri youth have been arrested and summoned in army camps and police stations in fake cordon and search operations.
He said that defying all international norms that guaranteed civil, political and human rights, and the remedies available to people in case of violations, India is continuing to expose its naked agenda that seeks to marginalize its minorities by physically exterminating them, psychologically undermining their spirit and obliterating their identity all while attempting to obfuscate the ugly communal façade that lurks under the umbrella of its so called ‘secular and democratic’ credentials.
He said that Pakistan also reminds the international community of its obligations and reiterates its call to hold India accountable for its gross and systematic violations of human rights in IIOJK.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Pakistan is reaching out to international community to get a collective response against India’s persecution of minorities specially Muslims.
Foreign Office Spokesperson called upon India to show moral courage and unequivocally condemn derogatory remarks made by two senior officials of the ruling BJP Party and take visible, demonstrable steps to hold them accountable.
To a question regarding India’s membership in UN Security Council as permanent representative, the spokesperson said Pakistan has opposed any expansion in the permanent membership of UNSC. However, he said, Pakistan supports comprehensive reforms of the Security Council that could make the council more democratic, representative and transparent.