- Interior Minister Nisar lambasts ‘use of excessive force’ to suppress protests in Occupied Kashmir
- Terms Indian forces’ suppression of protests ‘terrorism’, says Pakistan has not shut the door on bilateral dialogue
- Rajnath Singh slams Pakistan govt’s calling Burhan Wani a martyr, says ‘there are no good terrorists or bad terrorists’
- PM calls on SAARC countries to use their human and natural resources to promote peace in region
The interior ministers of both Pakistan and India made critical remarks apparently aimed at each other’s governments on the second day of a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference on Thursday, as tensions between the two neighbouring countries run high in the aftermath of weeks-long violence in Indian-held Kashmir.
In his address to the SAARC interior ministers’ conference, India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a direct jibe aimed at the Pakistani government for its strong condemnation of the killing of Kashmiri separatist leader Burhan Wani by Indian forces.
“There are no good terrorists or bad terrorists,” Singh said in his address, referring to earlier criticism the Indian state has levelled against Pakistan. “There should be no glorification or eulogising of terrorists as martyrs.”
Singh called for “strongest action not only against terrorists or organisations but also against individuals, organisations and nations”.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, in response, lambasted the “use of excessive force” to suppress protests in Occupied Kashmir, without naming the Indian government.
“Using torture against innocent children and violence against civilians qualifies as terrorism,” said the minister, adding that there was a need to end an “extremist” mindset and instead try to solve regional issues through dialogue.
Nisar said that like the attacks in Pathankot, Kabul, Mumbai and Dhaka, Pakistan too has lost many innocent lives due to terrorism. “The use of blame game has not benefited anyone in the past six decades.”
No bilateral meeting between the Indian home minister and his Pakistani counterpart took place on the sidelines of the ministerial conference which ended Thursday.
‘PAKISTAN HAS NOT SHUT THE DOOR ON DIALOGUE’:
Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of SAARC interior ministers’ conference, Nisar said Pakistan has not shut the door on bilateral dialogue.
“Pakistan has not shut the door on bilateral dialogue; we are always willing to conduct discussions and dialogue, but with dignity and self-respect,” Nisar said.
The interior minister said countries that have shut the door on dialogue need to reflect on their choice.
Nisar further said that issues between countries are not resolved through finger pointing or indulging in blame games, and countries need to sit down for dialogue to bring about real change.
Referring again to unrest in Indian-held Kashmir, the federal minister said that no country should suppress freedom struggles while camouflaging them under the guise of terrorism.
“Terrorism is the buzzword in the world nowadays. No country should try to crush a freedom struggle and camouflage it under the guise of terrorism.”
Nisar reiterated that the Kashmiri freedom struggle is sanctioned by the United Nations resolutions.
‘SAARC COUNTRIES SHOULD PROMOTE PEACE’:
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured the SAARC conference that Pakistan will stand alongside its South Asian neighbours to eradicate corruption, organised crime and terrorism from the region.
“Pakistan has been successful in curbing terrorism within its borders by implementing the National Action Plan and carrying out the operation Zarb-e-Azb,” said the premier.
“The success proves that Pakistan is committed to wiping out terrorism from its territory,” he added.
The PM said SAARC countries should use their human and natural resources to promote peace and prosperity in the region.
“The government of Pakistan wishes for peace in all the countries across the region and has always supported SAARC in pursuit of its goals,” he said.
Nawaz emphasised the importance of efficient transport and communication networks in the region to ensure public welfare and economic growth.
The prime minister expressed confidence that the decisions of the conference will provide the much needed impetus to the ongoing efforts to make cooperation on terrorism, corruption and human trafficking more meaningful.
“The outcome of this meeting will complement agenda of the 19th SAARC summit which Pakistan will host in Islamabad. The SAARC region is blessed with tremendous human and natural resources. So, we can and should provide a platform to optimally harness the regional potential for peace and prosperity of our people,” he added.
He said Pakistan has always been supportive of initiatives taken by SAARC to advance its ideals and objectives as enshrined in its charter. He said Pakistan has also been a strong advocate of stepping up regional efforts to ensure energy security through sharing of indigenous sources.
“Pakistan shares the perception that connectivity is critical to the progress and prosperity of the region and supports, in principle, road, air, rail and water connectivity within the region,” he added.
SAARC Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa, who hails from Nepal, said the issues of drugs, terrorism, cybercrime and other international crimes should be addressed immediately. He also praised Pakistan’s efforts in hosting the conference.
‘TERRORISM’ OF INDIAN SECURITY FORCES:
The SAARC meeting, which was held in-camera, had already attracted controversy after Indian External Affairs Ministry had issued a statement that Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh would not meet any Pakistani official on the sidelines of the SAARC meeting.
This statement, which seems in contravention to all diplomatic norms, did not go down well with Islamabad and a war or words continued.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also passed up an opportunity to shake hands with Rajnath Singh while he was receiving all the interior ministers before the start of the meeting. Video footage showed the two ministers hardly touching each other’s hands when Nisar was receiving guests at the gate of Serena Hotel. Singh also avoided being photographed with his Pakistani counterpart – a routine gesture in such meetings.
Singh missed the second session of the summit and also skipped a luncheon hosted by the Pakistani interior minister. The Indian home minister reportedly returned to New Delhi the same day.
