Modi should contest polls based on performance, not enmity with Pakistan: Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should contest elections in India based on his performance, not enmity with Pakistan.

The information minister, while speaking to newsmen here, demanded the Indian premier to inform what had he done for the people of his country.

He said that Pakistan fought its case in the International Court of Justice pertaining to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in a brilliant way.

Chaudhry said the Indian spy, who was arrested from Balochistan in March 2016 and later sentenced to death for involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan, carried original Indian passport.

"Why was Jadhav retired from service before reaching set age limit," he questioned, pointing to one of the several questions raised during Pakistan's argument in the case, which have so far been unanswered.

India took the stance in ICJ that Jadhav was held from Iran, the minister recounted, questioning, "So, did India inquire Iran about it?"

He maintained the world was not accepting India's stance in the case.

Responding to Indian threats, Chaudhry said Pakistan was not a weak state, adding, "The people of Pakistan stand by its government and armed forces."

He said Pakistan wants to bring its relations with India to normal, it does not want tension between the two countries.

Commenting on the arrest of Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani, the information minister said Durrani was apprehended by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

"The federal government has nothing to do with Siraj Durrani's arrest. Our own minister was arrested," he said.

"We understand that the process of accountability should not be linked to politics," Chaudhry added.