Haqqani: Pakistan Will Defend Itself Against Aggression

Via Daily Times (Pakistan) -

Due to India’s war rhetoric and potentially dangerous military moves, Pakistanis must be reassured that the country, though committed to fighting terrorism, is prepared to defend itself against any aggression, Islamabad’s envoy in Washington told CNN on Saturday.

Hussain Haqqani said Pakistan wanted to pursue terrorists in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan rather than go to war with India, adding the country also wanted to work with New Delhi to capture terrorists who were responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

“That said, over the last few days, we have reason to believe that there has been an escalation of rhetoric in India, which is accompanied by certain moves that we consider to be potentially dangerous,” Haqqani said.

He told the channel that he could not reveal the intelligence Pakistan had about Indian moves “but we are willing to share that with our friends around the world. And we have attempted to do that”.

Troop movement: He rejected the suggestion that the movement of Pakistani troops signalled an escalating situation.

“There is no bravado. Pakistan is not trying to make a show of might. All we are trying to do is to reassure our people that we do not want to go to war, but in case there are aggressive moves from the other side, then certainly we will take defensive positions,” Haqqani said.

“(It) is a call for India and our friends internationally to make sure that this remains a situation in which we work co-operatively,” he said, adding there had been no movements of troops from active engagement against terrorists and their supporters in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Need for evidence: He said Islamabad ‘has been fully co-operating’ with New Delhi in anti-terrorism efforts but pointed out the need for evidence to prosecute suspects.

“We have arrested many people that the Indians have named. Now, of course, we are asking for evidence. After all, people, once they have been arrested and charged, need evidence to be prosecuted. And we are a country under the rule of law now that democracy has been restored in Pakistan,” the envoy said.

“The most important thing is Pakistan wants to continue pursuing the war against terror. We remain the allies of the international community in fighting terrorists and we certainly do not want to divert our attention from that,” he added. app