Pak warns of 'appropriate measures' after Parrikar's remarks

Islamabad, May 28: Pakistan today said Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's remarks that "terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists" should be a matter of concern for the region and beyond and warned of taking "appropriate measures" to safeguard its interests.

"The statement of the Indian Defence Minister should be a matter of concern not just to Pakistan but also others in the region and beyond," Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalillulah said at his weekly briefing.

"Let me say that we will take all appropriate measures that are required to protect our national interest," he said when asked about steps being taken after Parrikar's statement.

Khalillulah said the Indian minister's statement may also be seen in the backdrop of an earlier statement of even more grave nature made by Ajit Doval in February 2014, days before he was appointed National Security Advisor. However, he did not give details about the statement made by Doval.

"Their statements confirm Pakistan's apprehensions about India's involvement in terrorism in Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson said that Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif have already responded and Senate's Defence Committee has also condemned the statement of the Indian leader.

He said Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and has suffered more than any other country in the world. "We have lost more than 60,000 lives of our citizens and suffered economic losses of more than USD 100 billion. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

To a question about India allegedly working against the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said Pakistan is aware of it "including propaganda by Indian media".

"However, I wish to reiterate our commitment to the realisation of Pak-China Economic Corridor projects, which will benefit the entire region," he said. He said both Pakistan and China were committed to the realisation of these projects. India has expressed concern over the USD 46 billion CPEC as it goes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

PTI