Pakistan not behind Pulwama attack

THE High Commissioner for Pakistan in Pretoria is writing in response to the items published by your esteemed newspaper “The Cape Times” yesterday regarding an attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama region of the Indian-held Kashmir, assigning blame on the state of Pakistan without carrying out any investigations.

I wish to submit the following perspective to clarify circumstances that are being used by sections of the Indian media and official circles to misguide and agitate the readership of your newspaper.

Pakistan has been consistently highlighting concern to all relevant about the Indian government’s plans to use the bogey of terrorism for its political and electoral advantages, ahead of its forthcoming general elections.

We have witnessed a routine pattern in India to accuse Pakistan immediately without conducting any probe or corroborating evidence.

In the given case too, it was noted that as soon as the reports of the attack started pouring in, vitriol against Pakistan ensued.

In addition, it was also accompanied by irresponsible language of threats and retribution by high-level Indian officials.

It will be logical to stress, that India instead, must look inwards towards indigenous factors responsible for such a tragic incident.

The worldwide condemnation on loss of life must also take into consideration the fact that today the real issue in the region of the Indianheld

Kashmir remains the gross violation of human rights creating a humanitarian emergency due to the Indian atrocities against the local people of Kashmir.

The continuing attacks on Kashmiris in India and targeting of Kashmiri students studying in other cities of India, plus aggravation of communal sentiments after the said attack are condemnable.

India should avoid using the Pulwama attack as laissez-faire to further suppress the Kashmiris of the Indian-occupied Kashmir.

We hope that New Delhi will exercise restraint in its belligerency in Kashmir.

Pakistan has always stressed the importance of outreach, engagement and political dialogue to resolve outstanding issues with India.

The government of Pakistan has offered a dialogue platform to India to resolve outstanding issues. Sadly, India has not reciprocated.

Pakistan desires normalisation of relations with India.

Adapting to belligerence and expediency to suit internal political benefits is counter-productive to not only the future of bilateral relations of Pakistan and India, but also for peace and stability of the South Asian region.

Pakistan has always condemned terrorism in all its manifestations including heightened acts of violence in the Kashmir valley.

We, therefore, strongly reject any insinuation by official circles in the India government and media that seek to link the attack to the state of Pakistan without investigation.

ARSHAD ABBASI

Second Secretary, High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan