First learn meaning of human rights, Congress tells Pakistan

The Congress on Monday condemned Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's statement on the Jammu and Kashmir situation and said it should first learn the meaning of human rights.

"Pakistan Prime Minister's statement supporting a declared terrorist is absolutely condemnable," Congresss leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters here.

"They are forgetting that Pakistan itself is imploding. And it seems they don't know the meaning of human rights. They don't know they are known as the world's largest exporter of terrorism," the Congress leader added.

Lashing out at the Centre, Singhvi said: "You get such kind of reply as a result of your diplomacy."

Sharif on Monday called for a plebiscite in "occupied" Jammu and Kashmir to let its people decide if they want to remain with India or align with Pakistan. He also voiced "concern and deep sorrow" over Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan Wani's killing on Friday by security forces.

Sharif also expressed concern over the detention of Kashmiri separatist leaders and said India should fulfil its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

"No one can support a declared terrorist, who had a history of terrorist activities... As far as other people are concerned, they may be misguided sympathisers who must be dealt with very carefully with sympathy as well as firmness...," the Congress leader said.

"It is a matter of regret, misfortune and even disgrace because our Prime Minister is totally absorbed in self-promotion and involved in photo opportunities and event management, from the US to Pakistan to China to Australia ," Singhvi said.

The Congress leader said that the Indian foreign policy is in a downward spin. "The best example is that in the recent Nuclear Supply Group's meeting, our so-called supporters whom the Prime Minister feted, applauded and hosted were India's principal opposers."

--IANS

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