ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday claimed Pakistan's victory by foiling Indian efforts to link Pulwama incident and Kashmiris' struggle with the recent designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN Security Council.
"India wanted to link the designation with Pulwama, the legitimate struggle by Kashmiri people and Pakistani institutions, but they [Indians] failed to do so," Qureshi said while talking to media persons after visiting Sri Lankan High Commission to offer condolence and express solidarity with the Sri Lankan people following Easter attacks in Sri Lanka.
"Today, there is a state of internal infighting within India. People and journalists in India are asking the Modi's BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] as to what it has gained from the enlisting of Masood Azhar, as their efforts have been failed to malign Pakistan and its institutions," he added.
Soon after the Pulwama incident, he pointed out, Pakistan had asked India to share credible and actionable evidence for investigation instead of levelling baseless allegations.
Instead of sharing credible evidence, he said that India resorted to aggression on February 26 in Balakot, adding that Pakistan also retaliated and the world witnessed the response.
"By the grace of Allah Almighty, we have once again come out as victorious," Qureshi in response to a question about the Indian claim of victory in the UN Security Council, while speaking at a news conference later.
He pointed out that the UN Security Council has imposed foreign travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo on the JeM chief, which, he stated, have been already imposed on him since 2005.
Earlier, the foreign minister visited the Sri Lankan High Commission and offered condolences with the high commissioner on the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka.
Qureshi strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attacks and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for speedy recovery of the wounded.
He said the people and the government of Pakistan stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lankan people. He said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He assured of Pakistan's unwavering support to Sri Lanka and reiterated offer of all possible assistance in counterterrorism measures.
He said that Sri Lanka is a friendly country and Pakistan will extend every possible support if required.
To a question about the steps being taken under the National Action Plan (NAP), Qureshi said that Pakistan is not taken these measures under pressure from any other country but for the sake of the country's own national interest.
He said the present government has devised a plan and it is being pursued as per the strategy on the implementation of the NAP.
Responding to another question about the linkages of attacks in Sri Lanka with India-based terror groups, he said that it is premature to comment prior to the completion of the investigations. However, he said that Tamil Tigers had linkages with the Indian-based terror and extremist groups in the past.