Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the United Nations, India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across country including Balochistan,” India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Ajit Kumar said.
The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan’s control.Ajit Kumar, Indian Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN
India sharply rebutted the UN Human Rights chief’s reference to India and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It said the whole State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and “Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory. The two cannot and should not be equated”.
“The neutrality of the phrase ‘Indian Administered Kashmir’ is, therefore, artificial,” it said, adding that J&K has an elected democratic government, but that is not the case on the Pakistani side.
Pakistan’s dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, Kumar said.
“Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights. J&K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&K,” he said.
In a no-holds-barred offensive, India said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people.
Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year.Ajit Kumar, Indian Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN
India’s credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people, he added.
Reiterating that the situation in the Valley arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen terror group, India said it was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances.
(With inputs from IANS and PTI)
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