ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected remarks made by his Indian counterpart on Jammu and Kashmir, saying New Delhi’s coercive rhetoric could not change the internationally recognised status of the disputed territory.
In a post on X, Khawaja Asif said India is attempting to rewrite internationally recognised legal realities through political rhetoric, but maintained that such statements neither altered the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir nor contributed to regional peace, stability or meaningful dialogue.
He reiterated Pakistan’s position that Jammu and Kashmir remained an internationally recognised disputed territory whose final status was to be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the freely expressed will of the Kashmiri people.
The defence minister also rejected India’s allegations against Pakistan, asserting that New Delhi’s accusations lacked credibility in light of what he described as India’s own record of state-sponsored terrorism and criminal activities.
Khawaja Asif expressed concern that what he termed India’s irresponsible rhetoric could lower the threshold for interstate conflict in the region.
He said Pakistan remained committed to peace and dialogue but stressed that the country was fully prepared to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
The defence minister further alleged that the Indian leadership’s statements were aimed at diverting attention from domestic political challenges and growing public discontent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style of governance.
India has consistently rejected Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, maintaining that the region is an integral part of the country. Pakistan, meanwhile, continues to regard the territory as disputed and calls for its resolution in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
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