Islamabad, Feb 19: Pakistan is ready to help India investigate the deadliest blast in Kashmir in decades, but will retaliate if New Delhi attacks, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on February 19 as tensions between the two countries soared in the wake of the Pulwama attack.
“Pakistan won't just think to retaliate. Pakistan will retaliate,” he said in a nationally televised address.
Mr. Khan went on to demand New Delhi share proof of Islamabad's involvement in the suicide blast, which killed 40 CRPF jawans.
He spoke days after the attack was claimed by Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), unleashing a war of words between the two countries and spurring both to call their respective envoys for consultationS.
Mr. Khan said he understood it was India’s election year and the narrative of blaming Pakistan would make it easier to get votes from the masses but he hoped that better sense would prevail and that India would be open for dialogue.
New Delhi held Islamabad responsible each time an incident happened in Kashmir and made Pakistan its “whipping boy” again and again.
He said:
“The Kashmir issue, like the Afghan issue, will be resolved through talks.
“If you have any actionable intelligence that a Pakistani is involved. Give it to us. I guarantee you we will take action - not because we are under pressure, but because they are acting as enemies of Pakistan.
“I have been hearing and seeing on the Indian media that politicians there are calling for revenge from Pakistan. If India thinks it will attack Pakistan, then we will not just think but retaliate. Starting a war is in our hands, it is easy. But ending a war, that is not in our hands and no one knows what will happen.
“Its not in our interests that somebody from here goes out to do terrorism, nor that somebody comes here and does terrorism. I say it clearly this is a Naya[new] Pakistan and a new mindset. India talks about including terrorism in dialogue with Pakistan. Terrorism is a big issue facing this region and we want to eliminate it. If someone is using Pakistan’s soil [to carry out terror attacks elsewhere], it is enmity with us. It is against our interests.”
'Busy with Saudi Crown Prince visit'
Mr. Khan said he did not respond to India’s allegations as he was busy with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the country.
“India accused Pakistan without any evidence and without thinking how this [attack] would benefit us. Would even a fool try to sabotage such an important visit as that of the Saudi crown prince” he asked.
“We have been fighting against terrorism for the past 15 years. How will Pakistan benefit from such incidents? Kashmiris are not afraid of death anymore. There must be a reason for that. Should there not be a discussion in India on this? Which law in the world allows everyone to become a judge and jury?,” he said.
Questioning whether India “wants to resolve the issue through military”, he said, “This has never been a successful measure.”
Minutes after the address, Mr. Khan’s official Instagram and Facebook accounts posted a picture of him — scowling and cross-armed — along with a message that read: “Don't mess with my country”. (The Instagram post has now been removed).
Pak. Minister pleads with U.N.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi pleaded with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres to intervene, saying India was threatening to “use force against Pakistan” and abandon a vital water treaty.
“It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions,” wrote Mr. Qureshi in a message shared with journalists.
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