ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif Thursday said killings of innocent people in Indian occupied Kashmir had exposed the real face of Narendra Modi’s government.
“Modi’s hands are stained with blood of innocent people whether it was carnage of Muslims in Indian Gujrat or state sponsored atrocities in occupied Kashmir,” he said speaking in a private news channel programme.
He said policies of Modi government of interfering into neighboring countries were also a threat to regional peace as his government was sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan.
He questioned seriousness of Indian government in holding bilateral talks and said, Modi instead of taking Kashmir crisis seriously is trying to divert attention of international community by discussing Balochistan.
“Modi converted the paradise like Kashmir into hell. So his ministers should read writing of the wall instead of falsely alleging others,” he added.
The minister said Indian forces were busy in genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiris. “They are being killed, pellet fired and maimed. They are being meted out a treatment they never deserved.”
The minister said it was not the first time that state land has been converted into hell as in past years Sikhs and Muslims in Gujrat have also faced this situation.
“History is evident that thousands Sikh and Muslims were killed and burnt in India on one pretext or the other.”
He said India was sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan and the arrest of Indian intelligence operator Kulbushan Yadev was its proof and the Pakistani government had presented all evidences of Indian terrorism in Pakistan at all international forums.
The minister said the government would plead the case aggressively and would tell India of its involvement in Pakistan whenever a bilateral meeting would be held.
Terrorism had become an international phenomenon and no country was safe from it. Therefore, there is need for discussion beyond the borders to get rid of this menace, he said.
He said Kashmir would be on top of agenda in bilateral meeting of Pakistan-India in view of unending violence of Indian forces in occupied Kashmir.
“We believe in resolving all issues through dialogue but suitable environment is vital to hold talks. India was committing genocide in occupied Kashmir and it should top of agenda.”
Commenting on India-US relations, the Defence Minister said Pakistan was monitoring the growing defense ties between the two countries and was open to use all options in this regard.
Being an ally of the United States in war against terrorism, Pakistan had offered unprecedented assistance to the US in its operation in Afghanistan, he said.
To a question about border with Afghanistan, the minister said Pakistan considered its relations with Afghanistan as very important, as peace in Pakistan was linked with peace in Afghanistan.
Pak-Afghan border was an internationally recognized border and Pakistan would establish check posts at its side to regulate the movement of people and traffic, he added.
Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had been hosting Afghan refugees for decades but some elements among them were becoming a hurdle in establishing peace in the country.
He said rigging case of his constituency was in Supreme Court and he was hopeful that justice would be done as he had full confidence in the courts.
“I reject Imran’s claims. I have been on the wicket for last three and half years and shall be there for next one and half year.”
Asif said Imran is fast losing his popularity as compared to 2011 and now people avoid joining his protest.
The minister said the government was fully determined to end load-shedding by 2018 and various power projects launched under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would start functioning by the time.
