Pakistan strongly rebuffed India’s recent condemnation of its counterterrorism operations conducted within Afghan territory, branding the criticism as both baseless and hypocritical. The Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, responded firmly on Saturday, dismissing New Delhi’s allegations as unfounded and highlighting India’s longstanding involvement in supporting terrorist activities. This exchange underscores the deep mistrust and ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries, particularly regarding security concerns in the region.
Addressing questions from the media, Andrabi emphasized that Pakistan’s actions inside Afghanistan are legitimate, targeted, and precise efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts and support networks that threaten regional stability. He described India’s remarks as not only unwarranted but also shamefully hypocritical, pointing out that New Delhi itself has a well-documented history of backing terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. Among these groups, he specifically named Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, which Pakistan alleges receive Indian support as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.
Expanding on the accusations, Andrabi highlighted India’s frustration over Pakistan’s successful operations against these terror franchises in Afghanistan. He suggested that the Indian government’s public statements reflect a deeper concern about losing influence over militant proxies and the disruption of their plans in the war-torn country. This dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile security situation in South Asia, where proxy conflicts and cross-border terrorism remain persistent challenges.
Furthermore, the spokesperson did not limit his criticism to India’s foreign policy but also condemned its domestic human rights record. He accused India of being a serial violator of international law, particularly in relation to its ongoing occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, which Pakistan refers to as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Andrabi reiterated that India’s actions in the disputed territory violate the United Nations Charter and multiple UN Security Council resolutions, alleging that New Delhi has engaged in state-sponsored terrorism against the local population.
In addition to these points, Andrabi condemned India’s broader regional policies, describing them as driven by an extremist Hindutva ideology. He accused the Indian government of systematically marginalizing minority communities, promoting Islamophobia, and weaponizing natural resources such as water in violation of international treaties. him, India’s disruptive role extends beyond Afghanistan, affecting the stability of the entire region and undermining peace efforts.
Concluding his remarks, the Foreign Office spokesperson challenged India’s moral authority to criticize Pakistan’s counterterrorism measures. He urged New Delhi to focus on curbing its own support for terrorism emanating from Afghan territory rather than making baseless accusations. Andrabi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and protecting its citizens through all necessary and lawful means, in line with international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
