Pakistan responds to UNGA meet being called off, says ‘India playing politics’

Even as the Government dumped Imran Khan’s offer of talks, a clearly spooked Pakistan has now attacked India and said “India is doing politics”. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was quoted by Pakistani media calling India’s move political.

“It seems India is doing politics. Issues are complicated with India and there’s a need to resolve them. India’s priorities are different, not peace,” said Qureshi.

Pakistan Government's Information Minister has also hit out at India and said “India is divided on the issue of negotiations”.

WATCH: MEA Confirms Cancellation Of India-Pakistan Meet At UNGA, Slams Imran Khan For 'showing His True Face'

Meanwhile, former Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti toed Pakistan’s line over the issue and said that calling off of the talks between Pakistan and India is a “bad news”.

“Calling off meeting between India & Pak’s FMs is bad news for J&K. Both countries owe it to people of state & country to carry on dialogue rather than talking through media. Inspite of a historic mandate, it is media & not NDA leadership that is setting the agenda, (sic)” wrote Mufti on Twitter.

READ | EXCLUSIVE | India Calls Off Talks With Pakistan At UNGA After Border Barbarism: Sources

Following a national outrage over the government's decision to meet with Pakistan on the sidelines of UNGA, top sources in the government have indicated that the Centre has called off the talks. The deep rooted government sources have told Republic TV that EAM Sushma Swaraj won't be shaking hands with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as a consequence of barbarity perpetrated by Pakistan along the border.

Later, the MEA confirmed Republic TV’s news-break and said:

"The latest brutal killing of our soldiers confirmed that Pakistan will not change. Any conversations with Pakistan in this environment is meaningless." The MEA also confirmed that the killing of Indian soldiers led to cancellation of this meeting, adding, "real face of Imran Khan is out in the beginning of his tenure".

Earlier on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had confirmed that on the request of Pakistani side, Swaraj will be meeting with Qureshi on the sidelines of UNGA. The MEA also insisted that this meeting shouldn’t be confused with a dialogue with Pakistan.