New York:Pakistan has strongly refuted India’s allegations of terrorism at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that India itself sponsors terrorism in the region.
Responding to Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s remarks, Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Rashid exercised his right of reply, condemning the accusations as baseless and misleading. He emphasized that Pakistan has sacrificed over 90,000 lives in its fight against terrorism — a struggle recognized globally.
“India is not a victim but a perpetrator,” Rashid stated. “It fuels hatred, division, and prejudice across South Asia, and operates a cross-border terrorist network using proxy agents to destabilize Pakistan.”
Rashid described Pakistan as a peace-loving nation committed to counterterrorism efforts. He held India accountable for human rights violations and state oppression, particularly in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where he cited extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances as routine practices disguised under counterterrorism.
He presented concrete evidence of India’s involvement, including the arrest of Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav — a serving Indian naval officer and RAW agent — caught conducting sabotage and terrorism inside Pakistan.
Addressing the Pahalgam incident, Rashid criticized India’s immediate blame on Pakistan without investigation or evidence. He noted that Pakistan had condemned the incident alongside other Security Council members and offered an independent probe, which India rejected. “To date, no proof has been presented,” he added.
Rashid further revealed that under the guise of retaliation, India launched open aggression against Pakistan from May 7 to 10, violating international law and resulting in the deaths of 54 civilians, including 15 children and 13 women. Pakistan responded with a measured military action, targeting only specific objectives under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Warning the Assembly, Rashid said India’s conduct sets a dangerous precedent for international law, encouraging unlawful aggression and cross-border violence. He urged the global community not to ignore such behavior.
Concluding his address, Rashid reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and prosperity for South Asia’s 1.9 billion people. “True progress demands sincerity, mutual respect, dialogue, and diplomacy — values Pakistan upholds. India must eventually embrace these principles if it genuinely seeks peace,” he said.
