Acquittal of Samjhauta Express accused: World must take notice of Indian double standards, says FM

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday sent out a strong message to world capitals over Indian courts acquitting main accused in the horrific Samjhauta Express terrorist attack, and said that it was time for the world to take notice of Indian double standards.

Amongst others, 44 Pakistanis lost their lives in the terrorist attack on a train in India 11 years ago.

"Yesterday, the decision given by the Indian National Investigation Court on the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack has shocked people. The four principal accused, after 11 years, have been acquitted of all charges. Swami Aseemanand, one of the accused who is a member of RSS, has publicly confessed to the crime and yet, he has been acquitted. I don't want to be unnecessarily critical, but it is evident how India accuses Pakistan without any investigation, as seen in the Pulwama terror attack which Pakistan condemned without delay," Qureshi said while talking to media.

The world needs to take notice of this Indian duplicity of the National Investigation Agency Court of India and added it was indeed perplexing as the main accused Swami Aseemanand had publicly confessed to his involvement in this incident.

"Pakistan strongly protested on this development and gave a demarche to India. We are disappointed. The world needs to take notice of duplicity of India," he added.

Turning to Indian accusations where Pulwama was being linked to Pakistan, the minister said that his has not been accepted by the international community and this was the message he received while speaking to members of the international community.

"India has failed in connecting Pakistan to Pulwama. They expect us to cooperate on terror investigations, where 44 Indian lives were lost. We have mourned this loss. We are serious about the dossier provided by India and are investigating and analysing it," he added.

Terrorism, he said, had no religion. "Terrorism is a prevalent mindset and anyone can achieve their vested objectives through it," he said.

It was China, the foreign minister said, which had played a key role in defusing the situation between Pakistan and India post Pulwama. He pointed out that Pakistan has a very good working relationship with China on a host of issues.

He said Pakistan is aware of the demands being made from the international community, but it is important for Pakistan to focus on its own national interests. He said Pakistan is tackling the banned outfits.

Qureshi was also critical of India’s condemnation of the Christchurch shootings as it did not mention Muslims or mosques.

During a news conference, Qureshi lamented New Delhi’s double standards and underplaying of any incident against Muslims.

"I was astonished that the world condemned the Christchurch terrorist attacks. It was also condemned by India but did not mention the mosque or Muslims. Muslims are martyred and two mosques attacked but there is no mention of this. Why?" Qureshi asked.

"You (India) want a seat in the OIC because you have millions of Muslims. But why are you left speechless in mentioning Muslims or mosques? This is their double standards. If there is an incident against Muslims it is underplayed," he said.

Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan will attend an important meeting in Beijing next Monday. Qureshi said the meeting will be attended by representatives of 36 countries and Pakistan will have a key role in it.

Meanwhile, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he is leaving for an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the rising Islamophobia arising of the recent terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, where amongst others, nine Pakistanis lost their lives.

The meeting had been scheduled after Pakistan and Turkey took a joint initiative to eliminate terrorism in the region. Shah Mehmood Qureshi at a media briefing at the Foreign Office said Pakistan and Turkey have taken an initiative by convening an emergency meeting of het OIC Executive Committee to discuss growing Islamophobia and to analyse the reasons for increasing hatred against Muslims in many European countries. On Wednesday night, reports spoke of four mosques in Birmingham vandalised allegedly by a man with a sledgehammer.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the tragic incident of attacks on mosques in New Zealand resulted in martyrdom of 50 people, including nine Pakistanis. He appreciated the courage and bravery of Naeem Rashid who tried to save fellow Muslims by laying down his life.

The minister said New Zealand is a very peaceful country and it gave a very good gesture and response in this crisis. He said the steps taken by New Zealand prime minister have been appreciated by all to increase interfaith harmony in her country.