ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has firmly rejected remarks by the Indian Defense Minister concerning the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, emphasizing that such statements are an attempt to distort internationally recognized legal realities.

According to Radio Pakistan, Asif stated on his X handle that these comments do not change the status of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, nor do they contribute to regional peace, stability, or meaningful dialogue. He underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory, with its future to be determined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.

Asif criticized India’s efforts to malign Pakistan, citing India’s own record of state-sponsored terrorism and criminal activities. He labeled India as the biggest sponsor of terrorism in South Asia, claiming it holds the region hostage with aggressive revisionist designs. He also warned that India’s rhetoric risks lowering the threshold for interstate conflict, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and dialogue and its determination to protect its sovereignty and security.

Furthermore, Asif suggested that the Indian Defense Minister’s statements aim to distract from internal issues and growing unrest against Prime Minister Modi’s governance style.