FM Qureshi tells India to dismiss thoughts of pressuring Pakistan with ‘war-mongering tactics’

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–Foreign minister visits crisis management cell

–FM Qureshi, German counterpart discuss regional peace

ISLAMABAD: In light of the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India following Pulwama attack, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday warned India to dismiss any thoughts of “pressuring Pakistan with its war-mongering tactics”.

While addressing the media following a consultative meeting held at the Foreign Office (FO), the foreign minister said, “Pakistan is a peaceful country. But [I have a] clear message for India: if you think we can be pressured, then stop thinking this,” he said, adding, “Pakistan’s military, political leadership, and the entire nation stands united with Kashmiris and their struggle.”

Drawing attention to the plight of the Kashmiris, Qureshi said, “The Kashmiri youth will not be subdued or suppressed,” as he reminded India of the words said by former chief minister of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), Mehbooba Mufti, “you can [put them in prison] but you cannot imprison their thoughts.”

Qureshi regretted the recent deployment of an additional 10,000 Indian soldiers in the valley and the dozens of arrests carried out in the wake of the attack.

“Kashmiri Hurriyet leadership is being expelled, there is fear in the valley, dozens of people are being arrested,” he lamented, as he called on India to end its war-mongering tactics.

“Pakistan is taking steps to ease the tensions. I urge the Indian leadership to exercise restraint and to ends its irresponsible attitude,” Qureshi said.

He also called on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) government to stop “fueling hatred for the purpose of furthering its agenda ahead of the elections”, while condemning the killing of a Pakistani prisoner in India and threats to a bakery in Bangalore named after Karachi.

Earlier, FM Qureshi met former foreign secretaries and envoys to formulate a strategy to navigate developments in the foreign affairs department.

Taking to Twitter, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) official account posted pictures from the meeting and stated that “the consultation was held to discuss the hostile ambitions of India and the deteriorating situation in Kashmir”.

“The consultations with former diplomats were held in order to get their input so that a comprehensive and effective response could be devised to tackle emerging developments,” Qureshi said.

Following the meeting, the foreign minister said that the meeting was successful and helpful, adding that the ministry would try to continue the consultations in the future as well.

Tensions between Islamabad and Delhi have spiked since the February 14 attack that killed at least 49 Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and injured others when suspected militants targeted a convoy with a car bomb at Awantipora in IOK’s Pulwama district, in what is the worst attack ever on security personnel in the state.

The car bomb attack was reportedly claimed by militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad and carried out by a 20-year-old Kashmiri man.

India has accused Pakistan of facilitating the attack as tensions between the two countries escalated and India announced it would withdraw Pakistan’s ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) status and lobbied to retain Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. However, Pakistan has denied all allegations of terror financing.

India has been demanding action against militants that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged are from Pakistan and its premier under pressure from his Hindu nationalist base to show firmness weeks before he is set to call elections.

The Pakistan Army on Friday warned India against any “misadventure,” saying it was capable of responding.

On the diplomatic front, the foreign ministry has established a crisis management cell and the foreign minister has spoken to his counterparts in various countries, besides writing a letter to the United Nations.

The situation has also raised alarm among the international community and United States President Donald Trump who voiced alarm at the “very dangerous situation” between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering “very strong” action after an attack in occupied Kashmir.

“It’s a very dangerous situation between the two countries. We would like to see it stop,” Trump said, adding that the United States was seeking talks with Pakistan.

“Right now there are a lot of problems between India and Pakistan because of what happened,” he told reporters as he met a senior Chinese official in the Oval Office.

QURESHI VISITS CRISIS MANAGEMENT CELL:

The foreign minister on Sunday visited the crisis management cell established in light of the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. He was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua during the visit.

He visited different departments of the crisis management cell and interacted with the on-duty staff. The foreign minister was also given a detailed briefing about the workings of the cell.

FM QURESHI, GERMAN COUNTERPART DISCUSS REGIONAL PEACE:

FM Qureshi has made a telephone call to his German counterpart Heiko Maas and apprised him about regional peace in the aftermath of the Pulwama incident.

He said that despite unfounded allegations and provocative statements from India, Pakistan has demonstrated utmost restraint and asked the New Delhi to provide evidence, if any to investigate the Pulwama attack.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the nature of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Germany.

The foreign minister also made a telephone call to European Union Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Sunday and briefed the representative about regional situation after Pulwama incident.

Acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace, Federica Mogherini assured the foreign minister to provide full cooperation to overcome this tense between Pakistan and India.

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