Jadhav a terrorist responsible for deaths in Pakistan, Asif reminds Sushma

ISLAMABAD: In a speedy and brutally frank response to his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif reminded New Delhi the reality remains that Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav is a serving Indian naval officer and a convicted Indian terrorist and spy responsible for multiple deaths and destruction in Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, Sushma Swaraj had spoken in both houses of the Indian parliament, painting an extraordinary meeting between Commander Jadhav and his mother and wife, into a scenario where the two ladies were insulted, while accusing Pakistan of using the visit as a propaganda tool and of harassing Jadhav’s family.

According to the Foreign Office, there was nothing in the visit of the Indian visitors to the ministry which had not been explained and agreed to with the Indian High Commission.

Khawaja Asif while exercising extreme restraint said, “We categorically reject all Indian allegations. It needs to be acknowledged that the purpose of the visit was to have a meeting of Commander Jadhav with his wife and mother, which was successfully achieved despite all impediments. It was permitted on humanitarian grounds, in line with Islamic teachings and traditions of compassion and grace,” the foreign minister was quoted by his office.

While pointing to the intense hue and cry in the Indian media questioning the modalities of the visit and advancing farfetched conspiracy theories about the change of clothes of the visitors, the retention of the shoe of the wife and the language in which the meeting was conducted, the minister emphasised that Pakistan’s humanitarian gesture did not obviate the fact that this was not an “ordinary” meeting between a mother and wife with their son and husband, a reality that New Delhi conveniently sidesteps.

While the Modi government refused to thank Pakistan for the gesture of the visit, which was not obligatory, the foreign minister instead pointed to Avaniti Jadhav, the prisoner’s mother who kept her South Asian tradition in place and thanked Pakistan for making the visit possible.

“The meeting initially scheduled for 30 minutes was extended to 40 minutes on their request,” the minister reminded his Indian counterpart.

Earlier, The News gathered that there were suspicions amongst the security staff at the Foreign Office that during a brief visit to the Indian High Commission before coming to the Foreign Office, the shoes of Chetankul Jadhav could have been wired. As Sushma Swaraj stated the shoes were cleared during security checks at two airports that the Indian lady passed through, so how did a metal chip show up during security checks at the Foreign Office?

“The visitors changed into their own clothes after the meeting. All their belongings were returned to them before they left. The wife’s shoes were retained as they did not clear the security check. A metal chip has been found in one of the shoes, which is being analysed”, explained the minister.

He reminded New Delhi that the point about the shoe was explained to the visitors and the Indian DHC raised no objection at any point.

“Commander Jadhav is a spy and a terrorist. The meeting was not allowed to be conducted in Marathi due to security reasons. There is nothing sinister in that. The mother was allowed to say a short prayer in Hindi/Marathi. They spoke comfortably in English for about 40 minutes which is duly recorded (again India was pre-informed that the meeting would be recorded),” he pointed out.

However, the Foreign Office has failed to explain as to how a foreign language was a security threat, where normally an interpreter is present for live translation for those interested to hear as to what was being said.

While pointing to the ‘frenzied’ Indian media, he said that it was unfortunate that it was driving Indian politics.

“Many routine airport security checks for ordinary people entail removal of crosses and veils. Trying to distort an agreed security check and attempting to portray it as a deliberate religious/cultural disrespect denotes bad faith and is regrettable,” he added.

The Foreign Office had earlier clarified that the entire exercise of the visit of the two Indian ladies to the Foreign Office and “the situation on the ground” was shown to the officers of Indian High Commission in the evening of December 24 and they consented to it.

“A comprehensive security check was essential. This was agreed between both countries, in advance, through diplomatic channels. The visitors were treated with respect and dignity. The change of clothes and removal of jewellery/ornaments etc. was purely for security reasons,” said the foreign minister.

Responding to Sushma’s allegation that the Pakistan media was allowed to come near Avaniti and Chetankul, Khawaja Asif clarified that no specific distance was agreed to.

“Indian media is driving its policy. Unlike India, media in Pakistan is not under any restrictions or gag orders. Pakistan has been totally open and transparent throughout the meeting, offered in good faith. We should focus on the bigger positive outcome and not get bogged down in details or distortion of facts,” he said.

The foreign minister further stressed that Pakistan has been open and transparent throughout the meeting, offered in good faith.

“We do not wish to indulge in fallacious accusations and blame game and should focus on the bigger positive outcome that the meeting happened, despite immense challenges and impediments, instead of distortion of facts and baseless propaganda, which vitiates the atmosphere and is counter-productive,” he said.

What remains now in this December 25 episode is the case of “missing shoes”, and the forensic reports proving whether there was a metal bug attached or not, while perhaps also explaining what “information” would the bug reveal from the floor of the Foreign Office which Indian diplomats frequent very often. Spokesman at the Foreign Office says that the shoes will be handed over to Indian authorities after complete screening and these details would be made public.

After the onslaught of criticism from New Delhi regarding the visit to the Foreign Office of the mother and wife of Commander Jadhav, the spokesman at the Foreign Office gave a vague reply whether more such visits would be allowed. “Whether we extend such gestures again can only be decided as and when the time comes. We can win any argument on this, as we have all the paperwork and record with us. However, the intent and purpose behind this gesture is very important and needs to be registered. It is unfortunate and sad that the Indian media is driving its politics and shaping public opinion for its nefarious designs,” he told the weekly media briefing.

He confirmed that a note verbale regarding the visit of the relatives of Jhadav has been dispatched by New Delhi and after it is received Pakistan would respond to it.

To a query, the spokesman termed as “imaginary” and “baseless” a leaked official letter from the Afghan Ministry of Interior suggesting that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate has opened a dairy factory to export poisoned products to Afghanistan.

“I reject such imaginary, baseless and malicious propaganda. However, I would like to point towards some elements that are pursuing a campaign based on falsehood to discourage bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. These elements are deliberately trying to discredit Pakistani products in the eyes of our Afghan brothers,” he explained.

Pakistani and Afghan people have been using products from each other’s companies for a long time. Such fallacious propaganda cannot dent the deep trust and confidence of Afghan consumers on Pakistani products.

“Those who do not want development of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan spread such malicious propaganda,” he added.

To another query the spokesman said 2017 has witnessed an unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India resulting in the Shahadat of 52 civilians and injuries to 254.

“Last year, there were about 350 ceasefire violations. These are Indian attempts to divert international attention from the grave human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan military has given a befitting response to all such Indian attempts,” he added.

Pakistan, he said, firmly believes that it is imperative for UNMOGIP to work clearly and unhindered, so that the ceasefire violations on LoC and the working boundary can be impartially monitored.

“On the Pakistani side, UNMOGIP is working with complete freedom. However, they have significant limitations to work on the Indian side and are not allowed to venture outside Delhi and Srinagar,” he said.

Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk

Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk

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