US visa restriction on Modi ‘acknowledgement’ of his terrorist activities: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: On Friday, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been complicit in terrorism support and human rights abuses in Gujarat while serving as that state’s chief minister, and that the United States had recognized this by placing visa restrictions on him.

The minister referred to Modi as the “Butcher of Gujarat,” alleging his support and involvement in the massacre of Muslims, including burning them alive and committing rape crimes, while speaking here in the National Assembly about the joint communiqué. Khawaja Muhammad Asif added that the United States’ response to the atrocities and violations of human rights in Gujarat amounted to an “acknowledgement” of Modi’s involvement in terrorism.

He emphasized that Muslims were the primary targets of these acts of terror.

Moreover, he condemned India for its continued human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir, where an undeclared curfew had been imposed, and highlighted the imprisonment and hardships faced by Kashmiri leaders due to state-sponsored terrorism carried out by extremist Hindus.

The minister underscored Pakistan’s unwavering support for the United States during two wars and its subsequent experience of terrorism.

He lamented that Pakistan continued to face acts of terrorism, not only within its borders but also from beyond.

Despite standing as a steadfast ally with the United States following the events of 9/11, Pakistan’s own struggle against terrorism had not received due acknowledgment, he regretted.

The minister asserted that wars often served as commercial investments for powerful nations, noting the recurrence of this pattern in Europe.

He called upon for stable foreign policies following the upcoming general elections, leveraging Pakistan’s strategically significant geographical location for its own benefit.