Nawaz’s statement is ‘incorrect, misleading’

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Monday categorically dismissed former premier Nawaz Sharif's recent statement on the 2008 Mumbai attacks and termed it "incorrect and misleading".

It has been officially stated that the meeting reviewed the recent statement of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the context of Mumbai attacks, as it appeared in a newspaper of May 12 and unanimously termed that statement as incorrect and misleading.

The participants observed that it was very unfortunate that the opinion arising out of either misconceptions or grievances is being presented in disregard of concrete facts and realities. The participants unanimously rejected the allegations and condemned the fallacious assertions. The NSC meeting recalled that it was not Pakistan, but India, that has delayed the finalisation of the case. Besides many other refusals during the investigation,It has been officially stated that the meeting reviewed the recent statement in the context of Mumbai attacks, as it appeared in a newspaper of May 12 and unanimously termed this statement as incorrect and misleading.

The participants observed that it was very unfortunate that the opinion arising out of either misconceptions or grievances was being presented in disregard of concrete facts and realities. The participants unanimously rejected the allegations and condemned the fallacious assertions.

The meeting recalled that it was not Pakistan, but India, that has delayed the finalisation of the case. Besides many other refusals during the investigation, the denial of access to the principal accused, Ajmal Qasab, and his extraordinarily hurried execution became the core impediment in the finalisation of the trial. “At the same time Pakistan continues to wait for cooperation from India on the infamous Kulbhushan Jadhav and Samjhauta Express episodes,” said the participants.

The NSC resolved that Pakistan shall continue to play its due role in fighting the war against terrorism at all fronts. The meeting continued for two hours. Nawaz Sharif in a recent interview to a newspaper had said, “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?”

His remarks were played up by the Indian media as an admission of Pakistan's involvement in the terrorist attacks. Following the backlash on international and local media, Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor had said on Twitter that the Army had suggested that the NSC meeting be called to clarify the country's stance on the statement.

Prime Minister Abbasi said after the meeting that Nawaz Sharif clarified that his recent statement regarding the Mumbai attacks was misinterpreted and misreported by the media. The prime minister, who chaired the NSC meeting in the morning, later said while addressing a news conference that the former PM was misquoted by Indian media and media in Pakistan should not become party to the propaganda.

After the NSC meeting, the prime minister had a brief meeting with Nawaz Sharif before the latter’s departure for Buner. The PM was flanked by federal ministers Marriyum Aurangzeb, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Miftah Ismail and Special Assistant Musadiq Malik.

Prime Minister Abbasi dispelled the impression that Nawaz had said that the Mumbai attacks had been planned in Pakistan. "Nawaz Sharif said that he neither said any such thing, nor can it be said on the basis of assumptions that planning for the Mumbai attacks was done in Pakistan," he said.

"Indian media is giving the issue a different hue, and we should not be a part of it," he said. The prime minister claimed that the NSC did not condemn Nawaz, but incorrect reporting of the interview while referring to the earlier statement by the country’s top civil-military body.

"There was no talk by Nawaz Sharif of the Mumbai attacks being planned in Pakistan," he explained, adding that Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan has not permitted its soil to be used for terrorism.

The prime minister reiterated his support for his predecessor. "As the prime minister, I stand with Nawaz Sharif," he said, adding that Nawaz would remain the party's Quaid and his prime minister. He said that he is not resigning.

"I will stay as prime minister until midnight on May 31," he said. The premier said he had made the decision to call the NSC meeting on Sunday noon. He denied that Pakistan is responsible for delay in the Mumbai attacks case trial.

The premier disclosed that the controversial statement was termed as ‘ridiculous’ in the NSC meeting. “During the meeting we made a resolve that Pakistan’s soil will not be allowed to be used for terrorism,” he said, adding: “I am not here to clarify Nawaz’s position, the purpose of this media talk is to clear the air of confusion.”

The prime minister asserted that Nawaz Sharif’s statement did not aim to hold Pakistan responsible for the 26/11 attacks. “Indian media manipulated his statement to create an issue. Indian propaganda cannot undermine our achievements,” he said.

He elaborated that the media in India took a “line or two” from the interview and misrepresented it out of context. He said the reference made to non-state actors was not made to blame Pakistan. “Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and I stand behind our Quaid,” he reiterated.