ISLAMABAD: The interior ministers of both Pakistan and India
made critical remarks apparently aimed at each other’s governments on
the second day of a Saarc conference here on Thursday, as tensions
between the two neighbouring countries run high in the aftermath of
weeks-long violence in India-held Kashmir.
In his address
to the Saarc interior ministers’ conference, India’s home minister 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,” said Rajnath Singh 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
those individuals, organisations and nations.”
Interior
Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, in response, lambasted the "use of
excessive force" to suppress protests in held 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 with dialogue.
Nisar
said 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 for 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
that ended Thursday.
'Pakistan has not shut the door on dialogue'
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan,
addressing a press conference after the conclusion of Saarc interior
ministers’ conference, 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,” said Nisar.
The interior minister stated countries which have shut the doors on dialogue need to reflect upon their choice.
Nisar further stated 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 India-held Kashmir, the federal minister stated 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 the Kashmiri freedom struggle is sanctified by 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 on national grounds has been
successful in curbing terrorism by implementing the National Action Plan
and carrying out the operation Zarb-i-Azb,” said the premier.
“The success proves that Pakistan is committed towards 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 countries across the
region and has always supported Saarc in pursuit of its goals,” he said.
Nawaz pressed on the importance of efficient transport
and communication network in the region to ensure public welfare and
economic growth.
Saarc Secretary General Arjun Bahadur
Thapa, who belongs to Nepal, said the issues of drugs, terrorism,
cybercrime and other international crimes should be addressed
immediately. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to host the
conference.
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