Pak Deputy PM calls Pahalgam Terrorists 'Freedom Fighters'
Pakistan's Foreign minister Ishaq Dar praised the attackers as "freedom fighters" on Thursday, despite the country denouncing the recent incident in pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and refuting allegations that it harbors terrorist organizations.
"Those who carried out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's pahalgam district on april 22 might be freedom fighters," Dar, who is also Pakistan's deputy prime minister, told reporters in Islamabad.
The minister's comments were made the day after india linked Islamabad to a number of counterattacks and declared a series of diplomatic offensives against Pakistan. The suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and the revocation of all visas granted to Pakistani nationals were the most significant of them.
"Those who carried out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's pahalgam district on april 22 might be freedom fighters," Dar, who is also Pakistan's deputy prime minister, told reporters in Islamabad.
The minister's comments were made the day after india linked Islamabad to a number of counterattacks and declared a series of diplomatic offensives against Pakistan. The suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and the revocation of all visas granted to Pakistani nationals were the most significant of them.
"240 million people in pakistan need water... you cannot stop it," Dar remarked in response to the question of whether the Indus Water Treaty should be suspended. It is equivalent to a war act. Any infringement or suspension will not be tolerated.
Dar also warned that pakistan would retaliate in kind if india threatened or attacked the country. "If pakistan is attacked directly, a tit-for-tat reply will be given," he stated.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Pakistani government, which declared that any attempt to divert water that was designated for it under the terms of the Indus Water Treaty would be deemed a "act of war."
Dar also warned that pakistan would retaliate in kind if india threatened or attacked the country. "If pakistan is attacked directly, a tit-for-tat reply will be given," he stated.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Pakistani government, which declared that any attempt to divert water that was designated for it under the terms of the Indus Water Treaty would be deemed a "act of war."
"Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparians will be considered as an act of war," a statement issued following the meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), which was presided over by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, stated.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's defense minister, escalated the rhetoric by alleging that india is preparing assaults throughout Pakistan. "We're going to make them pay for it. Indian citizens won't be safe either if india harms our citizens. Asif stated, "It will be tit-for-tat."
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's defense minister, escalated the rhetoric by alleging that india is preparing assaults throughout Pakistan. "We're going to make them pay for it. Indian citizens won't be safe either if india harms our citizens. Asif stated, "It will be tit-for-tat."