New York: Rejecting India’s allegations at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s Second Secretary Muhammad Rashid called it the main culprit behind terrorism, human rights violations and state repression in the region, while the Indian delegate left the hall in shock after Pakistan’s blunt response.
In his address, the Second Secretary, in response to the Indian Foreign Minister’s statement, said that Madam President, today we heard the same old speeches from a member country that were predictable, another attempt to defame Pakistan, based on false narratives and misleading claims, but as always completely devoid of facts.
The Pakistani diplomat said that Pakistan has sacrificed more than 90,000 precious lives in the war on terrorism, and these sacrifices are recognized at the global level. Pakistan is a strong pillar in the efforts around the world to eliminate terrorism, as my Prime Minister highlighted in this forum.
The Second Secretary said that the false allegations of terrorism by our neighboring country are actually an attempt to make it true by repeating lies over and over again. But the reality is completely opposite. This country itself is the biggest perpetrator of terrorism; it is a usurper and gangster of the region, holding the entire region hostage on the basis of its hegemonic ambitions and extremist ideologies, which unfortunately fuel hatred, division and prejudice.
Muhammad Rashid said that I will clarify this in three points
First: This country is among those countries that illegally occupy territories, oppress and oppress the people and violate basic human rights. The most prominent example of this is Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where state terrorism is a daily routine, including extrajudicial killings, unjustified arrests, forced detentions, fake encounters and collective punishments, which are covered up in the name of counter-terrorism.
Second: This same country runs a clandestine and cross-border terrorist network and operates inside and outside Pakistan through its proxies. A living proof of this is the arrest of its serving naval officer and intelligence agent Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was found red-handed by Pakistan in acts of terrorism and sabotage.
Third: We also heard baseless and incomprehensible claims regarding the Pahalgam incident. It has become a set script that any incident is immediately blamed on Pakistan without any evidence, logic or investigation. Pakistan, as a responsible state, joined other members of the Security Council in condemning the Pahalgam incident. Moreover, Pakistan offered an independent and transparent investigation, which was promptly rejected. Not surprisingly, no evidence has been presented regarding the incident till date.
Pakistan’s delegate Muhammad Rashid said that using this incident as justification, in grave violation of international law, open aggression was launched against Pakistan from May 7 to 10, resulting in the martyrdom of 54 innocent civilians, including 15 children and 13 women.
He said that in response, Pakistan responded vigorously but cautiously, exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The action was limited to military targets and resulted in the downing of several warplanes and the aggressor country suffering significant military losses.
Addressing the President of the meeting, the Pakistani diplomat said that the country’s behavior sets a very dangerous precedent for international law. This is a template that is adopted by countries that want to violate international laws, carry out cross-border killings, intimidate neighbors and commit open aggression. The international community should never ignore such illegal and irresponsible behavior.
He said that Pakistan wants peace and the 1.9 billion people of South Asia, who constitute a quarter of the world’s population, deserve prosperity and stability. But these goals cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of threats and fear.
Second Secretary Muhammad Rashid further said that sincerity, mutual respect, dialogue and diplomacy are essential for real progress, principles that Pakistan has always prioritized. India will also have to eventually adopt the same path if it truly wants peace.
India was stunned by this well-reasoned statement of Pakistan, while the Indian delegate was seen listening to the phone in a state of extreme distress and left the hall in a state of bewilderment.