ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday Pakistan had defeated India militarily, diplomatically and politically in the ongoing border row, which has de-escalated over the past few days.
“Our desire is peace but when we talk it is considered weakness,” FO Spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said while addressing his weekly press briefing. He added that Pakistan had already shown it could defend itself.
On the Indian dossier on Pulwama attack, the spokesman said it was being evaluated and a response would be given soon.
On February 26, Indian planes violated Pakistani airspace and claimed to have killed 300 “terrorists” by dropping a payload, he said, adding that New Delhi could not prove this.
“On February 27, Pakistan hit different targets in India and on the same day Indian planes violating the Line of Control (LoC) were shot down, and an Indian pilot was captured,” Faisal noted. “The Indian pilot was released for the promotion of peace.”
He said Pakistan strongly protested brutal killing of a Pakistani prisoner, Shakirullah, in an Indian jail. “An FIR has been lodged in Pakistan over the Shakirullah’s murder, whereas Pakistan had demanded Indian to share the post-mortem report of the deceased inmate.”
Condemning ongoing Indian brutalities in occupied Kashmir, the spokesman said several people were martyred in different areas of the occupied valley, while several others were taken into custody.
“Pakistan condemns Indian aggression and call on the world fraternity to play its role on these oppressive measures taken by India,” he said.
Regarding Kartarpur corridor, Faisal said it was a project initiated by Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, for which a Pakistani delegation will be visiting India on March 14.
“It is the right of the host country to invite whoever person it wants as a guest. We are in talks with UAE as well on this,” he said.
The spokesman said India first suggested that meeting be held in New Delhi, which Pakistan accepted, however, the venue was later changed to Attari.
“Pakistan again agreed with Indian suggestion and if circumstances are not changed until March 14, then the Pakistani delegation will visit India,” he said.
Speaking about intercepting of an Indian submarine while attempting to venture into Pakistani waters, Faisal said Pakistan Navy traced the Indian submarine and forced it to return, however, no decision had yet been made for a diplomatic action on this issue.
“Pakistani media played a responsible role, which was acknowledged on international level,” he maintained.