New York (HRNW)- Pakistan has given a strong response to India at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), stating that India itself is an enemy of peace and that Jammu and Kashmir is neither an integral part of India nor an internal matter.
During a discussion on the peaceful resolution of disputes under UN Security Council Resolution 2788, Counselor at Pakistan’s Mission to the UN, Saima Saleem, said in a direct response that one delegation attempted to influence the debate through distortion of facts, denial, and baseless allegations.
She said it was ironic for India to lecture others on peace while it stands accused of violating international law, ignoring UN Security Council resolutions, committing aggression against neighboring countries, and sponsoring terrorism in the region.
The Pakistani representative stated that Jammu and Kashmir is neither an integral part of India nor its internal matter, adding that India’s denial cannot alter the internationally recognized status of the dispute. She noted that India itself had brought the Kashmir issue before the UN Security Council but is now refusing to comply with the very resolutions adopted by the Council, emphasizing that UN resolutions do not expire.
Saima Saleem said there is a clear contrast between Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that one enjoys political freedom while the other faces repression, arbitrary arrests, and human rights violations.
She added that the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people is inalienable and cannot be denied. She also criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of international law and the UN Charter.
The Pakistani delegate stressed that the waters of the Indus River are a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people and should never be used as a weapon. She warned that such actions could threaten regional peace.
Saima Saleem further stated that Pakistan is one of the biggest victims of terrorism and that the sacrifices of thousands of innocent Pakistanis demonstrate the country’s genuine commitment to combating terrorism. She alleged that India-linked terrorist networks have expanded beyond the region, citing the Kulbhushan Jadhav case as evidence.
She also accused India of promoting Islamophobia through extremist Hindutva-based policies and said that minorities in India continue to face discrimination and oppression.
The Pakistani diplomat emphasized that despite repeated provocations and aggression, Pakistan has exercised restraint, kept the door to dialogue open, and consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of disputes. She concluded by urging India to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2788 in both letter and spirit, honor its treaty obligations, and play a constructive role in achieving a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
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