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Hostile propaganda, alleges Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s elected representatives on Wednesday rallied against India for what they dubbed as its “hostile propaganda” against their country, and hit back with the accusation that “terror networks” operating in Indian territory were attempting to destabilise the region.

The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the November 26 Mumbai attacks. But the resolution asked the international community “to ensure that India also dismantles its terror networks affecting peace in the region and stop[s] regional destabilisation moves.”

The resolution, which came after a five-day debate on the national security situation, urged India to “stop hostile propaganda against Pakistan that seeks to cover their intelligence failures” and to end “activities [that]do not serve the cause of peace in the region.”

The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad Ahmed. It reflected the hardening position of the Pakistan People’s Party government, and the shrinking political space for action on the Indian demand that it must take steps to dismantle the terror infrastructure in Pakistan, not for New Delhi but in its own interests.

The resolution condemned India’s “unsubstantiated allegations levelled in haste against Pakistan.”

The resolution called upon India to respond to “the constructive proposals” by Pakistan for a joint investigation into the Mumbai attacks and a “high-level engagement” to address Indian concerns.

It said Pakistan was “united and stands ready to defend its honour and dignity as well as sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity” and said the nation and the armed forces “shall together defend” the country’s security “at all costs.”

Earlier this week, Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said his forces would give an “equal response” should India carry out any strikes inside Pakistan.