NEW DELHI: Pakistan on Friday blamed India for creating a ‘war-like situation,’ to divert world’s attention from the Kashmir issue. It invited swift retaliation with India asking it to “appreciate ground reality and stop interfering in its internal affairs”.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan claimed India may whip up a frenzy as it did post-Pulwama and stage a ‘false flag operation’ in a bid to wage war. “The threat is very real. In such a scenario, Pakistan cannot but respond,” he told the media.
In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said, “Pakistan would do well not to meddle in India’s internal issue and see a new reality.”
Khan claimed it was US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate on Kashmir that had sparked off India’s “unilateral and illegal” action.
“War is not an option but Pakistan needed to tell the world on what is happening in J&K,” he said.
India said it understood Pakistan’s actions and frustration following Parliament’s decision to abrogate Article 370, thereby restricting its scope severely to meddle in the affairs of J&K.
“There is a feeling that Pakistan is nervous over India’s initiative in J&K,” Kumar said, adding, “Pakistan’s efforts to link a peace deal with Kashmir issue have also not worked.”
“Pakistan is also nervous over our steps because Islamabad has realized that it will not be able to mislead people anymore, especially if is there is development in that region,” Kumar said.
The MEA said Pakistan’s action in suspending the Samjhauta Express was a unilateral move which was unfortunate.
No cultural exchange with India says Pakistan
On Friday, Pakistan also announced that it was suspending all cultural exchanges with India. I&B Ministry also launched a slogan ‘Say No to India’, Dawn reported.