India-Pakistan ties at scary level, says Pak Foreign Minister

Lahore: Pakistan Foreign Minister Mr Shah M. Qureshi on Friday said that relationship between India and Pakistan has come to such "a scary level" after abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu Kashmir, that "two nuclear powers are face to face with each other."

Mr Qureshi raised the issue of Kashmir while addressing the Indian media delegation before the opening of Kartarpur Corridor on Saturday. He, however, quickly deviated from the main issue and talked about Jammu Kashmir and accused Indian government of  human rights violations through lockdowns and curbs while using words like "annexation by India" to abrogation of Article 370.

He said things have deteriorated after August 5 and now there is no scope of a bilateral dialogue between the two sides in near future.

"We thought that after the jingoism of elections is over we can talk but after August 5 situation has deteriorated," he said. Mr Qureshi added that even Indian politicians like Rahul Gandhi and Kashmiri politicians have been questioning  the government's move.

However, Mr Qureshi had no answers when asked by Indian journalists on Pakistan's occupation of  Kashmir and use of force against people in Gilgit Baltistan. All he could say was that India must respect commitments made in United Nations and under Simla Agreement.

Mr Qureshi went on to attack Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi saying "his bigotry, narrow mindedness destroyed the spirit of Kartarpur."

"We wanted to build on goodwill of Kartarpur spirit and the positive gesture taken by the BJP government which though has reluctantly accepted this," Pak FM said. He added that many are associating sinister designs to Karatarpur Corridor initiative "but there is none."

"There is an element in India that feels some sort of (anti India) movement is being fanned against India. Nonsense. There is none" said the FM but he walked out in a huff when probed by this reporter how would he explain presence of Khalistani militants and other seperatists in Kartarpur videos, posters and even committees. He also evaded questions on the activities of separatist groups like Sikhs for Justice and others who are fanning anti India sentiments.

Kartarpur Corridor will be opened on Saturday with Mr Modi inaugurating the Indian side and Pak PM Mr Imran Khan on the other side of the border.