LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said Pakistan had buried the false narrative propagated by the Indian media and government about its so called hegemony and portrayal of India as the “net security provider” of the region. Addressing a press conference in London after his official visit to the United Kingdom, and broadcast live on national TV channels, he said Pakistan had emerged victorious in its recent armed conflict with India, triggered by unprovoked Indian aggression. “The Indian media and bureaucracy have acknowledged that their narrative proved unsuccessful. On the other hand, Pakistan’s narrative was based upon facts and truth, which was acknowledged by the world,” he added. Dar said that after air superiority, Pakistan also settled scores with India on the ground. He said Pakistan always stood for the respect, dignity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region and desired from others to do the same. Terming Indian leaders’ statements unfortunate, he advised them to accept the defeat and move forward, stressing that Pakistan had not asked anyone to broker a ceasefire; rather, it was the Indian side that agreed to it and which was conveyed by US Secretary of State Rubio to him in the May conflict. Dar, flanked by the Pakistan High Commission to the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal, further said the incumbent government was committed to economic stability and prosperity, and its policies resulted in foreign reserves growth and inflation rates on a downward trend. “Pakistan will emerge stronger. Unity will take us forward if we want Pakistan to get its due place among the comity of nations, and to join D-20,” he observed. He said that no one should tell Pakistan to hold talks on terrorism, as they were ‘the biggest victim of terrorism, Pakistan had fought the global war of terrorism, on the front foot and sacrificed 90,000 lives besides suffering colossal losses to the tune of $192 billion in that war, he said, stressing that the world had to recognize these sacrifices, Pakistan had rendered huge sacrifices.
