Pak oppn hits out at PM over India talks

ISLAMABAD Too much keenness being shown by the prime minister showed weakness on our part. KHAWAJA MOHAMMAD ASIF, Former foreign minister

: Army Chief Bipin Rawat’s vow of “painful retaliation” against the killing of Indian soldiers has unleashed a volley of responses in Pakistan, with most condemning the statement and others blaming the Imran Khan government for appearing too eager for peace.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said on Saturday Pakistan is a nuclear power and its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness. “If someone tests our patience, we will give a befitting reply to it and not disappoint the nation,” he told a private TV channel.

“We are on positive trajectory of peace and stability after having gone through efforts over the last two decades. We understand the value of peace and shall not allow it to be reversed.”

Rejecting allegations of Pakistan mutilating the body of an Indian soldier, Ghafoor said the Pakistan Army is a professional force and can never undertake such non-professional action.

Pakistani information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Indian army chief should not behave as BJP chief and must not become a ‘tool’ to propagate nega- tive messages. He said dialogue was the only way forward as resolution of all outstanding issues would benefit millions of people on both sides of the border.

The country’s two major opposition parties have held the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government responsible for the latest diplomatic debacle and questioned the “haste being shown by Prime Minister Imran Khan in making efforts to mend fences with India”.

“The bellicose & irresponsible statement by the Indian army chief exposes the Indian designs to the world that should immediately take note of New Delhi’s threatening posture,” opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif tweeted. “Pakistan extending an olive branch to India should never be misconstrued as weakness.”

PPP vice president Sherry Rehman said the government should have done its homework before approaching India for a meeting.