New Delhi: In a scathing attack the Indian Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar demanded that Pakistan show credible, verifiable and sustained action against terrorism. He was briefing the media after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his country’s soil will not be used for terrorism.
The spokesperson said, “Pakistan will be judged by not the words it speaks but the action it takes…The proof of action is not issuing notification but dismantling infrastructure which should be verified.”
Rubbishing Imran Khan’s remarks, Raveesh Kumar said that this mere talk is happening time and again and the same script is being repeated and urged for real action.
He said that in 2004 the then Pakistani President had promised not to allow anyone to use Pakistani soil for terrorism. However, to date, no concrete steps have been taken to combat terrorism.
The External Ministry Spokesperson also said that Pakistan’s denial of access to Reuter’s reporters to Balakot was because they had “plenty to hide”.
Making fun of Pakistan’s stand he said, “This initial bravado, that ‘everything is open, please come and visit’, has disappeared.”
He also asked why Pakistan is not admitting that F-16 was used to attack military installations in Kashmir even after evidence was provided. He revealed that India has asked the US to clarify if F-16s use against India is in tune with the “terms and conditions of sale”.
Raveesh Kumar denied that two Indian jets were shot down by Pakistani Air Force and demanded proofs of the same. He said that Indian MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had shot down Pakistan’s F-16 in a dog fight.
