Indian media allegations are irresponsible, provocative: FO

Dhaka terror attack

BD PM’s Adviser Prof Gowher says that Dhaka
did not blame Pakistan for the attack

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday reacted strongly to irresponsible allegations in the Indian media pointing the finger at Pakistan for this week’s senseless and heinous terrorist attack in Dhaka, which saw 20 hostages being hacked to death.

Bangladesh too denied that it had blamed Islamabad for the attack and said reports attributed to it by the Indian media were utterly false.“These are highly regrettable, irresponsible and provocative stories being carried in the Indian media. These are utterly baseless and unfounded. Pakistan strongly rejects such allegations,” Foreign Office Pakistan Nafees Zakaria remarked.

In fact, the Pakistanis who have suffered from terrorist attacks for years now are truly grieved at the horrific killing of Bangladeshis and foreigners by Bengali terrorists from the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen.

To the embarrassment of the Indian media, which should now apologise for playing such a dangerous game, Pakistan was supported by Adviser to the Prime Minster of Bangladesh Professor Gowher Rizvi, who completely refuted the Indian media story attributed to him about Pakistan’s involvement in the attack.

Such timely negation of the Indian media was necessary as of late the Pakistan-Bangladesh relations have been tense after Islamabad reacted strongly to the hanging of members of Jamaat-e-Islami that Dhaka said were criminals.

“This is utter nonsense, and a proof of the Indian media’s malicious intent. I never issued any statement or spoke to any TV channel on this issue. This is a fake statement and we assure Islamabad that Dhaka does not blame Pakistan for the attack,” Rizvi was quoted in the Bangladeshi media.

In fact, Bangladesh did not take these Indian allegations lightly and sent a letter to Islamabad immediately on Monday, urging all countries, including Pakistan, to help it in its fight against terror.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad issued a statement which quoted Rizvi as saying, “The statement issued by the Indian media was ‘utter nonsense’ and that I have never issued any statement or spoken to any TV channel regarding the issue.”

Earlier, Pakistan had condemned what it said was a “senseless attack” in Dhaka leading to the loss of precious lives and injuries to many innocent people.“The government and the people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the brotherly people and Government of Bangladesh over the loss of innocent lives and wish the injured an early recovery”, the spokesman said.

“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the brotherly people of Bangladesh and is confident that the Government of Bangladesh will effectively counter this cowardly attack. Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the spokesman asserted.