Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit said on Monday no surgical strike in Pakistan could isolate the nation.
“Dialogue process must continue between India and Pakistan to find a solution to all the problems. Peace process cannot move ahead without solving Kashmir issue,” said Basit while replying to a query from the audience during an interactive session.
Replying to a query on surgical strike in PoK by the Indian Army on September 29, Basit categorically denied any such operation.
“Had there been a surgical strike by the Indian Army, Pakistan would have replied till now,” said Basit.
“Nobody can isolate Pakistan. The country is competent enough to safeguard its interest in the international community,” he said.
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On charges of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley, Basit said there was a similar perception about India in his country too.
“Pakistan is the worst sufferer of terrorism. We are victims of terrorism like no other country. There is a perception in Pakistan that India is behind all this. In Pakistan, we have a narrative that India wants to destabilise our country,” claimed Basit.
He said people in Pakistan were mature enough and no longer fell prey to anti-India rhetoric. “Political parties in Pakistan do not get votes on anti-India remarks,” said Basit.
{{/usCountry}}He said people in Pakistan were mature enough and no longer fell prey to anti-India rhetoric. “Political parties in Pakistan do not get votes on anti-India remarks,” said Basit.
{{/usCountry}}He, however, insisted that confidence-building measures should continue to ensure dialogue process between the two countries.
Basit also claimed that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was not in Pakistan.
The Pakistan high commissioner was in Lucknow to attend an event organised by a web news portal.
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