Distortion of agreed security check of Jadhav’s family regrettable: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal Thursday said distortion of agreed security check of Kulbhushan Jadhav’s family and portraying it as religious/cultural disrespect denotes only bad faith on behalf of India.

During his weekly media briefing, Dr Faisal said that Indian allegations against Pakistan coming 24 hours after the visit of Jadhav’s family are baseless, counterproductive and regrettable.

A comprehensive security check was essential, on which both the countries had agreed, in advance, through diplomatic channels, he added.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that the purpose of the visit was to have a meeting on humanitarian grounds—of Commander Jadhav with his wife and mother—which was successfully achieved, despite all impediments.

He said the humanitarian gesture by Pakistan does not obviate the fact that Commander Jadhav is a convicted Indian terrorist and spy responsible for multiple deaths and destruction in Pakistan.

He said that the visitors’ belongings were returned to them before they left, except the shoe of Commander Jadhav’s wife, which was retained as it did not clear the security check.

Replying to a question, he said that Indian media is controlling the politics of their country.

He added, “We should focus on the bigger positive outcome and not get bogged down in details or distortion of facts.”

Rejecting the propaganda against Pakistani products in Afghanistan, he said that Afghans are using Pakistani products for years, and callous propaganda cannot dent the trust between the two countries.

Condemning the terrorist attack in Kabul this morning, he said that Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in its all forms and manifestations and firm resolve to eradicate this menace.

He confirmed that Pakistan will repatriate 290 Indian fishermen who had accidentally crossed the borders. Repatriation will be done in two phases, he added.

Dr Faisal said that during the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan foreign ministers’ dialogue held in Beijing, the three countries have agreed to enhance linkage with Afghanistan through CPEC. “They believe that it will give a boost to the regional economy,” he said.

Replying to question regarding Col Zaheer Habib, he said that government of Pakistan is constantly in touch with the government of Nepal. “We also wrote about the issue to the Indian government, as he was lost near the Indian border,” he informed.

He said India’s acting deputy high commissioner was summoned to the FO on the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian occupation forces in the Rakhchikri sector on the Line of Control (LoC) and the use of IEDs, which resulted in the death of three soldiers and injuring one other.

“This year has witnessed an unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces on LoC, resulting in the martyrdom of 54 civilians and injuries to 174,” he stated.