"Indian leadership has unhealthy obsession with Pakistan," claims Islamabad

Islamabad [Pakistan], April 6 (ANI): In response to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's "Frankenstein monster" remarks, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that these comments reflect the Indian leadership's "unhealthy obsession" with Islamabad. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch made the remarks during a media briefing on Wednesday. 

Responding to a question regarding Jaishankar's remarks on Pakistan's current situation, economy and terrorism, Mumtaz Baloch said, " I would like to say that these remarks reflect Indian leadership’s unhealthy obsession with Pakistan. Having failed in their efforts to malign and isolate Pakistan at the diplomatic front, Indian leaders have now assumed the role of armchair pundits. While focusing on Pakistan they very conveniently overlook the developments in their own country where the social fabric is being ripped apart by the rise of an extremist Hindutva ideology."

When asked whether Pakistan responded to the Indian letter to Islamabad asking to start negotiations for the review of the Indus Water Treaty, Mumtaz Baloch said, "I can confirm that Pakistan has responded to the Indian letter on the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan remains committed to the implementation of the Treaty in good faith and to ensure its water security."

On being asked why Pakistan boycotts the Democracy Summit despite being a functional democracy, Baloch said, "We have already released a statement. I would like to reiterate that Pakistan as a vibrant democracy is deeply committed to democratic values and generations of Pakistanis have upheld their faith in democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms."

She further said, "We have also said that Pakistan has not been part of the summit process that began in 2021, which required countries to make certain national commitments. We believe that the summit process is now at an advanced stage. Therefore, Pakistan would engage bilaterally with the organisers and the co-hosts of the summit to promote and strengthen democratic principles and values, and work towards advancing human rights and fight against corruption."

When asked about UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman's recent statement about Pakistani men, Mumtaz Baloch said that Islamabad finds these remarks "dangerous, discriminatory and xenophobic."

The Pakistan Minister of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said, "Her statement paints a highly misleading picture, signalling the intent to target and treat British Pakistanis differently. In making these uncalled-for remarks, the Home Secretary has erroneously branded criminal behaviour of some individuals as representation of the entire community."

Mumtaz Baloch further said, "She fails to take note of the systemic racism and ghettoisation of communities and omits to recognize the tremendous cultural, economic and political contributions that British Pakistanis continue to make in British society." (ANI)