Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has issued a stern warning to Indian politicians, urging them to refrain from dragging Pakistan into their political discourse for electoral gains. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Baloch emphasized that Pakistan categorically rejects all of India’s claims over Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are witnessing an alarming surge in provocative statements from Indian leaders asserting unwarranted claims on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan rejects these claims. Fuelled by hyper-nationalism, this inflammatory rhetoric poses a grave threat to regional peace and susceptibility,” Baloch stated, as quoted by Pakistan-based Dawn News.
Baloch’s comments come amidst the ongoing national elections in India, where politicians have been campaigning vigorously. She dismissed the claims made by Indian politicians as baseless and contrary to historical and legal facts.
“Historical and legal facts as well as ground realities refute India’s baseless claims over Jammu and Kashmir,” Baloch asserted.
India has consistently refuted Pakistan’s statements on Kashmir, with the Ministry of External Affairs reiterating that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. Leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also made references to Pakistan during their election campaigns.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, during a rally in Madhya Pradesh, expressed confidence that the people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would prefer development under PM Modi’s leadership over Pakistan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance that PoK is an integral part of the country, with bipartisan support in the Indian Parliament.
As tensions persist between the two neighboring countries, Baloch’s message serves as a reminder for Indian politicians to avoid using Pakistan as a political tool in their electoral campaigns.