UNSC briefed on Pak-India standoff
Pakistan on Monday apprised the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of the prevailing tensions in South Asia after the killing of 26 people in the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) tourist resort of Pahalgam.
The UNSC went into an emergency in-camera session on Pakistan's request and received a briefing from Pakistan's Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar. The meeting was attended by all 15 members, including the five-permanent veto-wielding powers.
"Pakistan is grateful to the members of the UNSC for their attention and engagement," Ambassador Iftikhar told reporters, while briefing the media. He described the Kashmir issue as a longstanding dispute between Pakistan and India, saying that it has been lingering since the last 70 years.
He expressed strong reservations over India's recent unilateral actions and said that Pakistan had raised an effective voice against Indian actions in the Security Council. "Pakistan is always ready to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
Ambassador Iftikhar expressed reservations over India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a violation of the international law. He condemned atrocities of Indian forces in IIOJK and said that the oppression and persecution of unarmed and innocent Kashmiris continued unabated.
About the Pahalgam attack, the Pakistani delegate condemned the incident and made it clear that Pakistan had nothing to do with it. "Pakistan is ready to fully cooperate in a transparent, independent and international investigation into the incident," he added.
He stressed that sustainable peace in South Asia was not possible without the resolution of the Kashmir issue and urged the solution to this issue should be in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. "The Kashmir dispute cannot be resolved without the participation of the Kashmiri people."
The Pakistani delegate said that India's actions posed serious threats to peace and security of the region, and stressed that talks were the only way to peace. "Pakistan is always ready for talks based on the principles of mutual respect, dignity and sovereignty.
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