New Delhi, October 4: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying his open call for jihad upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the United States was “not normal behaviour” and “unbecoming of the office he holds”.
Imran Khan on his return from the US on Sunday said that those standing by Kashmiris were doing “jihad” and Pakistan will support Kashmiris even if the world does not. Addressing media, Imran Khan said, “It [supporting Kashmiris] is jihad. We are doing it because we want Allah to be happy with us.”
Hitting out at the Pakistan prime minister, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the country was not behaving as a neighbour should. “It [jihad call] was unbecoming of the office he holds. Pakistan not behaving as a neighbour should. This open call for jihad is not normal behaviour,” he said.
On Imran Khan asking people to head towards the Line of Control (LoC), the MEA spokesperson said that the Pakistani prime minister used “provocative and irresponsible” statements at the UNGA as well.
“He [Imran Khan] used provocative and irresponsible statements in UNGA too. I think he does not know how to conduct international relationships. The most serious thing is he gave an open call for jihad against India which is not normal,” Raveesh Kumar said.
PM Imran Khan, who focussed on the Kashmir issue in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, told his party workers at the airport in Islamabad that “whether the world is with the Kashmiris or not, we are standing with them.”
“It is a struggle and do not lose heart when the time is not good. Do not be disappointed as the Kashmiris are looking towards you,” he said, adding, “Kashmiris would win if the Pakistani people stood by their side.”
