Pakistan rejects Indian minister’s remarks on armed forces, condemns propaganda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected the remarks made by India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, accusing the Pakistan Army of being the root cause of New Delhi’s problems with Islamabad.

In response to media queries, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi condemned the comments as “highly inflammatory, baseless, and irresponsible,” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty.

“Pakistan categorically rejects and condemns the highly inflammatory, baseless, and irresponsible comments made by the Indian External Affairs Minister,” Andrabi said in a statement. “These remarks are a part of a larger propaganda campaign aimed at deflecting attention from India’s own destabilizing actions in the region.”

Jaishankar, speaking to NDTV CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, alleged that many of India’s issues with Pakistan were the result of “ideological hostility” fostered by the Pakistan Army.

“The ideological hostility towards India comes from the Pakistan Army,” Jaishankar claimed, linking the military’s influence directly to the strained bilateral relations. This statement follows the deadly conflict between the two nations in May 2025, sparked by a militant attack on civilians in Indian-occupied Kashmir. A charge Pakistan has consistently denied and offered open investigation. 

Responding to these allegations, Andrabi highlighted Pakistan’s professionalism and resolve in defending its national interests.

He noted that the May conflict demonstrated the Pakistan Armed Forces’ capability and responsibility in confronting aggression while maintaining national security.

“The May 2025 conflict vividly demonstrated Pakistan’s armed forces’ professionalism and resolve to defend the motherland against any Indian aggression,” Andrabi stated. “No amount of propaganda can distort this truth.”

The spokesperson also denounced Indian efforts to undermine Pakistan’s state institutions, calling them part of a broader disinformation campaign. “These attempts are designed to distract from India’s destabilizing actions, including its ongoing state-sponsored terrorism against Pakistan,” Andrabi said.

Furthermore, the foreign office criticized the rise of Hindutva ideology in India, which has unleashed a wave of violence, discrimination, and attacks on religious minorities.

“India must investigate its own internal issues rather than making misleading accusations about Pakistan,” Andrabi emphasized. “The Indian state has become hostage to the terror unleashed by the Hindutva agenda, including mob justice, arbitrary detentions, and the destruction of places of worship.”

While reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, the spokesperson underscored that Pakistan would remain resolute in defending its sovereignty and national security.

“Pakistan believes in co-existence and dialogue,” said Andrabi. “However, we stand united and resolute in our ability to protect our national interests.”

This sharp exchange between the two nuclear-armed neighbors underscores the enduring tensions that have plagued their relationship, particularly over the Kashmir dispute and ongoing military confrontations.