EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini has spoken to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi regarding the current tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack
Pakistani people watch the television as Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks to the nation about the suicide bombing in Kashmir on February. (Photo: AFP)
The European Union (EU) has asked Pakistan to take clear and sustained action against terrorism, including targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks.
The statement is being interpreted in New Delhi as a tough message by the 27-nation grouping to act against not only the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack, but also its chief Masood Azhar, who enjoys the patronage of the Pakistani establishment.
Advertisement
While the JeM is proscribed by the UN, its head is yet to be designated as a global terrorist because of China’s refusal to allow the world body to list him in this category so as to save its ‘all-weather’ friend Pakistan from global embarrassment.
Advertisement
A statement issued by the European Union said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini spoke to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi regarding the current tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack.
The EU official stressed the urgency to de-escalate the situation and confirmed that EU representatives were in touch with India too. ‘’The EU policy has always been to promote a dialogue between Pakistan and India to sort out differences,’’ the EU statement said.
Appreciating the early commitment of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to reach out to India, the EU official highlighted the need for Pakistan to continue to address terrorism.
The Pakistani minister again claimed that Islamabad had nothing to do with the Pulwama attack and said his country was ready to investigate the incident if India provided actionable intelligence in this regard.
Advertisement
