Pak was ‘not surprised’ by Canada’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader: Syrus Sajjad Qazi
Says Islamabad understands the nature & behaviour of its eastern neighbour
Says Pakistan was well-acquainted with India, having dealt with them for over seven decades
India’s assassination of a Canadian national on Canadian soil is a clear violation of int’l law & the UN principle of state sovereignty: FO Spokesperson
NEW YORK ( Web News )
Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi has said Pakistan was ‘not surprised’ by Canada’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader, emphasising that Islamabad understands the nature and behaviour of its eastern neighbour.
Syrus Sajjad Qazi made these remarks during a news briefing held in New York.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently claimed to possess “credible evidence” linking the Indian state to the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The 45-year-old Nijjar was shot dead by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in British Columbia, a province in Canada.
Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi pointed to Pakistan’s own experiences with India, including the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, a serving Naval officer who entered Pakistan clandestinely. Jadhav had confessed to his espionage activities in Pakistan. Qazi emphasised, “Based on our experience with India, we are not surprised by the allegations made by the Canadian PM.”
Syrus Sajjad Qazi further added that Pakistan was well-acquainted with India, having dealt with them for over seven decades. He recalled Pakistan’s response to India’s incursion in February 2019 and asserted that Pakistan would defend its independence again if necessary.
“Whenever there is instability in Pakistan, India often had a hand in it,” Syrus Sajjad Qazi claimed, highlighting the need for the international community to understand India’s behavioor on the global stage.
Prime Minister Trudeau, speaking in the House of Commons, did not provide specific details about the allegations but expressed his “deep concerns” to Indian security and intelligence officials and personally to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs swiftly rejected Canada’s allegations and expelled a Canadian diplomat in retaliation for the expulsion of an Indian diplomat by Canada over the case.
In Washington, the United States expressed deep concern over the allegations made by the Canadian leader. The White House National Security Council spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, emphasised the importance of Canada’s investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi used the briefing to inform Pakistani reporters about the activities of Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who participated in bilateral talks and meetings on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
The attack was planned and executed by Indian intelligence. Pakistan FO Spokesperson
India’s assassination of a Canadian national on Canadian soil is a clear violation of int’l law & the UN principle of state sovereignty: FO Spokesperson
Pakistan says the news of Indian involvement in an extrajudicial killing in Canada has shown that India’s network of extra-territorial killings has now gone global.
Responding to a question at her weekly media briefing in Islamabad today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said for decades, Indian intelligence agency RAW has been actively involved in abductions and assassinations in South Asia.
She said Pakistan has remained a target of a series of targeted killings and espionage by RAW. In December last year, Pakistan released a comprehensive dossier providing concrete and irrefutable evidence of India’s involvement in the Lahore attack of June 2021. The attack was planned and executed by Indian intelligence.
She said in 2016, a high-ranking Indian military officer Commander Kulbhushan Yadav confessed his involvement in directing, financing and executing terror and sabotage in Pakistan.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said India’s assassination of a Canadian national on Canadian soil is a clear violation of international law and the United Nations principle of state sovereignty.
She said it is also a reckless and irresponsible act that calls into question India’s reliability as a credible international partner and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities.
Replying to another question about statements of Indian civil and military leadership against Pakistan, she said Pakistan has the capacity and will to defend itself. It has done in the past and it will continue to do so.
Answering yet another question about post-floods situation in Libya, the Spokesperson said the situation in Libya is human catastrophe and a terrible tragedy on which people of Pakistan are deeply concerned.
She said we have expressed our sympathies with the people of Libya and are in contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross on how Pakistan can offer assistance to Libya in these difficult circumstances.
The FO Spokesperson said Pakistan strongly condemns the recent storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by a group of extremists under the watch of Israeli occupation forces. Pakistan reiterates its call upon the international community to act in concert to bring an end to Israel’s escalatory practices in the interest of peace, security and stability in the Middle East and beyond.