ALI HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hit back at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks at G20 summit accusing Islamabad for 'sowing terror,' reminding him of the public confession of the RAW involvement in the terror activities in Pakistan by the arrested RAW agent.

"Yes! Indian intelligence agency RAW's officer, Kulbhushan Yadav's public confession makes a clear reference to that country in South Asia," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told his weekly media briefing when asked to comment on Prime Minister Modi's assertion at G20 summit that "there is one single nation in South Asia spreading agents of terror" and we must "Isolate and sanction countries which support terror".

Referring to the continued repression in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson expressed Pakistan's deep concern and anguish over the 62 days continued atrocities and human rights violations by Indian forces with impunity due to international apathy

He said that more than 90 innocent and helpless Kashmiri young men, women and children have been killed while the killing continues, adding the number of eye victims due to use of pellet guns by the Indian occupation forces is now over 700 whereas those injured is around 10,000.

"These are alarming statistics, which the Prime Minister in his latest wake up call to the international community and proponents of human rights, has highlighted. The PM's key message was 'Silence over atrocities is equally wrong and unjustifiable," he added.

He also referred to efforts to highlight the plight of Kashmiris including appointment of the 22 parliamentarians as the PM's special envoys to raise the issue with international community.

Responding to a query, he said Pakistan has always highlighted Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly, adding Prime Minister this time will also highlight the increased atrocities and human rights violations in the IoK at the UNGA.

He said Indian involvement in subversive activities in Pakistan will also be raised as the matter is directly linked to Pakistan's security.

Regarding India's claim that UN resolutions on Kashmir have become inapplicable after Simla agreement, he said Simla accord cannot overrule the UN resolutions, adding India has violated not only UN resolutions but the Simla agreement as well.

Commenting on launching of a Balochi language channel by India, he said the move was aimed at diverting world's attention from atrocities and human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian forces in the IoK. "No matter how much they try to keep the media and the world community in the dark, people are able to differentiate between farce and reality quite clearly," he added.

In response to another query regarding a reported event in connection with Balochistan independence held in Afghanistan, he declined to comment but referred to the hostile statements from Afghanistan, which he said "serve no purpose". He said Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours and have historical linkages, adding there is need to promote harmony and strengthen relations between the two countries.

"I believe that cooperation between the two countries will be instrumental in creating sustainable peace in Afghanistan and also benefit both Pakistan and the entire region," he added.

When asked to comment on the India-US defence agreement, he said, Pakistan believes that the Memorandum of Agreement between India and the US is an agreement between two sovereign states. However, any such agreement must not disturb the balance of power in South Asia. "Pakistan is carefully monitoring the evolving regional and global situation and would make course correction in its foreign policy as and when required," he added.

In response to US State Department spokesperson statement, asking Pakistan to do more on terrorism, he said Pakistan and US are partners in the fight against terrorism and there is repeated acknowledgement of Pakistan's efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism from the US at various levels.

Asked to comment on execution of Jamat-e-Islami leaders in Bangladesh, he deplored the execution through flawed judicial process and also in violation of 1974 tripartite agreement signed between Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. He said the act of suppressing the opposition through flawed judicial process is also against the spirit of democracy.

About summoning of Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi in connection with a recent measure by KCCI to stop Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan's participation in a conference in Karachi, he said the High Commissioner was called in by the Indian Foreign Office and given a demarche. "We are gathering more information related to this episode. However, let me point out that Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) is an independent body," he added.