Pakistan on Monday termed as 'baseless and malicious speculation', the reports that its army was slow in providing relief to earthquake victims as it was busy mobilising along the Line of Control and fortifying its bunkers.
"We dismiss these reports as baseless and malicious speculation," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters, reacting to media reports that Pakistan army was slow to respond to help quake victims because it was mobilising along the border, fearing an attack by India.
She said the Pakistan army and the people responded to the tragedy immediately and in an exemplary manner.
The army immediately launched rescue operations in the quake-hit areas, which are marked by difficult terrain, and the entire effort was geared towards saving peoples' lives and providing them food and shelter, she said.
In many inaccessible areas, due to landslides, mules were being used to deliver goods, Aslam said, adding that the tragedy was unprecedented and response by the Pakistan army was equally unparalleled.
More from rediff