Pakistan on Wednesday rejected a statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs regarding Pakistan's actions against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan, describing it as baseless while reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding national security in accordance with international law.
Official Response to Indian Allegations
Responding to a media query, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan's actions were legitimate, targeted, and proportionate, and dismissed India's allegations as preposterous, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs news release.
The spokesperson said the Indian statement had been issued by a country that, according to Pakistan, has historically interfered in and undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbouring states in violation of the UN Charter.
Accusations Against India on Kashmir and Terrorism
He further alleged that India continued to suppress the right to self-determination of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in contravention of relevant United Nations resolutions. Ambassador Tahir Andrabi also accused India of actively aiding and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory against Pakistan, alleging that such actions violated the relevant UN Security Council sanctions regime.
He said India continued to play the role of a regional spoiler and asserted that its baseless accusations and inflammatory statements against Pakistan should not be entertained.
Pakistan's Commitment to Security
Reiterating Pakistan's position, the spokesperson said the country had been, and would continue to be, committed to taking all appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens in accordance with international law.
Exchange of Prisoner Lists Under Bilateral Agreement
Meanwhile, in pursuance of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the lists of prisoners in each other's custody. Under the agreement, signed on 21 May 2008, both sides are required to exchange these lists on 1 January and 1 July every year.
The Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan (52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen) to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Simultaneously, the Government of India provided a list of 439 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen, who are in Indian jails, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press statement.
Demand for Release of Prisoners
Additionally, the government of India was urged to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners (64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen) who had completed their sentences and whose nationality had been confirmed. India was also urged to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani and believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting release and repatriation.
The government of Pakistan also called for expeditious consular access to all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners to facilitate the early confirmation of their nationality. The spokesperson further said the government of Pakistan would continue its efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners.
