ISLAMABAD, June 11: Pakistan on Thursday rejected India’s criticism over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), insisting that issues arising from recent protests in the region are being handled through a democratic and constitutional process.
The response came after India strongly condemned Pakistan’s actions in PoK, accusing it of brutality against protesters and urging the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for alleged human rights abuses.
India’s remarks followed reports that more than 20 people were killed during police action against demonstrators in several parts of PoK.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed India’s statements “in their entirety” and rejected comparisons between the political situations on either side of the Line of Control (LoC).
He maintained that developments in PoK were being addressed within Pakistan’s constitutional framework and said attempts to equate the situation with issues elsewhere were misleading.
Andrabi also responded to remarks by an Indian minister regarding water resources, warning that any Indian move to block water flows would be viewed by Pakistan as an “act of war.” He stressed that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to protect its economy, national interests and population.
He further argued that water should not be used as a political tool, instrument of coercion or weapon, warning that such actions could threaten regional peace and stability.
Commenting on the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Andrabi highlighted concerns over India’s nuclear capabilities.
He referred to reported developments including the deployment of nuclear warheads, canisterised missile systems, expansion of sea-based nuclear forces and longer-range missile programmes.
According to him, these developments could increase military readiness and complicate crisis stability in South Asia.
On security issues, Andrabi defended Pakistan’s recent military strikes in Afghanistan, saying they were carried out on the basis of credible intelligence and targeted hideouts of militants belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
When asked about a recent United Nations report documenting civilian casualties in eastern Afghanistan, he said he had not yet reviewed the findings and therefore could not comment on the report’s conclusions or methodology. (PTI)
