ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has strongly criticized India for accusing Pakistan of meddling in and injection of militants into occupied Kashmir via the Line of Control (LoC).
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today (Monday), the Interior Minister categorically rejected the Indian home minister’s statement, saying that there was no interference from Pakistan’s side and “the statement they have given is wrong.”
“The allegation represented India’s irresponsible thinking and was indicative of its intention to keep Pakistan engaged on multiple fronts,” he said, adding, “It means that our suspicions that India wants to create problems for us are true.”
Rashid further said, “All fencing has been completed so there is no question of any terrorist going into occupied Kashmir,” urging India to present any evidence to back its accusations.
Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, he said Pakistan has nothing to do with Afghan politics and that Islamabad only wants peace in the region. He also accused Israel, India, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency as well as the international media to foist blame on Pakistan for the deteriorating situation.
“Pakistan has given sacrifices of lives against terrorism and for peace,” Rashid said as he stressed that peace in Afghanistan was linked with Pakistan’s own stability.
In response to a question about the Afghan Ambassador’s daughter, Rashid said that she has gone to Germany. He added that Pakistani authorities have asked for her phone number and have sought to speak to her online, to investigate the matter further.
Talking about the Muharram security arrangements, he said spoke of his plan to visit all four provinces during the holy month vowing to keep a close eye on security matters. “I had instructed the chief secretaries and IGPs to arrange foolproof security for processions,” he added.
He said cellular and 3G services had been suspended from today till 10th Muharram in the region formerly called Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), adding that more security measures were also in the offing.
On the issue of fake identity cards issued by NADRA, Rashid said that all those involved in the malpractice will be expelled. The minister said that he will be addressing issues related to NADRA soon and will take guidelines from the prime minister on the matter.
