LAHORE MIRROR — Foreign Secretary Syrus Qazi, accompanying caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on a five-day visit to the United States for the 78th UNGA session, expressed Pakistan’s lack of surprise regarding Canada’s revelations about the Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.
He said during a media briefing at the Pakistan mission in the United Nations. Qazi commented that “India’s terrorism in Canada is not a matter of surprise for Pakistan.”
He also pointed out that Pakistan’s stance was rooted in its past experiences, notably the arrest of Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Yadav, an operative of the Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), from Balochistan in March 2016. Yadav was subsequently sentenced to death for espionage and involvement in terror activities aimed at destabilizing Pakistan.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier revealed the potential link between agents of the Indian government and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, describing it as an “extremely serious matter” during a speech at an emergency session of the assembly. In response, Qazi stated that Pakistan was not surprised by these developments, suggesting there may be some truth to Canada’s allegations.
Regarding Kulbhushan Jadhav, Qazi reiterated that the Indian spy was involved in destabilizing Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance on India’s state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also weighed in on the issue, urging the international community to acknowledge India as a “rogue, Hindutva, and terrorist state” after Canada’s revelations.
In the context of Prime Minister Kakar’s visit to the United States, Qazi noted that he would address the UN General Assembly, discussing various issues, including Kashmir. The prime minister had already attended the reception and opening session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Qazi mentioned that the prime minister had a cordial meeting with the Iranian president, and the foreign minister held important meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA session.
