ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday rejected accusations levelled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that India was “trying to distract world attention from the atrocities perpetrated by its occupation forces” in India-held Kashmir (IHK), the state-run radio service reported.
In his first speech since the Uri attack, Indian PM Modi, addressing Pakistan, said: "We will isolate you. I will work for that."
The Indian premier accused Pakistan of instigating terror attacks in Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and of trying to destabilise India by exporting terrorism. In the same breath, Modi challenged Pakistan to "fight a war on poverty and unemployment and see who wins first, India or Pakistan."
The FO Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said, “It is unfortunate that Indian leadership continues to indulge in a well-thought-out vilification campaign against Pakistan by making provocative statements and baseless accusations.”
He added that such an irresponsible display of behaviour at the highest political level was regrettable.
Zakaria reiterated that Indian forces were “using brute force against innocent and defenceless Kashmiris, including children and women”.
"These atrocities have intensified since the extra-judicial killing of Kashmiri youth leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani in July this year," he said.
The spokesperson stated that the international community has also taken notice of these blatant human rights violations, with concerns expressed by several countries as well as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
He said there are increasing demands for independent investigations and fact-finding missions to be sent to IHK.
Zakaria alleged that although India has "cast aspersions on Pakistan, it continues to sponsor terrorism in Pakistan directly through its state apparatus."
"The arrest and confessional statements of a serving Indian Navy officer and intelligence operative, Kulbhushan Yadhav, reveal beyond a shadow of doubt how India fuels terrorist activities in various parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas."
'India diverting attention from atrocities in Kashmir'
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday also condemned Modi's speech, saying,“It is a matter of regret that on one hand, the Indian prime minister talks about jointly fighting against poverty and unemployment, and on other, he vows to isolate Pakistan in the global community."
He alleged that instead of resolving the issues of the Kashmiri people and complying with United Nations resolutions on Kashmir, the Indian government was attempting to divert the global community's attention from the conflict.
Imran said that India blamed the Uri attack on Pakistan without conducting an investigation into the matter.
He added that Modi's call to jointly eliminate poverty and unemployment was sensible, as the restoration of peace and trade within the subcontinent was the best way to reduce poverty.
The PTI chairman made it clear that the entire nation is united on the issue and stands by its armed forces.
"We only have differences with the prime minister on the issue of corruption. Apart from this, the entire nation is united and on the same page as far as foreign policy is concerned," he said.