Pakistan has branded Balochistan Freedom Fighters as Terrorists
India raised the issue of Baluchistan for the first time before the
United Nations on Wednesday, accusing Pakistan of widespread human
rights violations in the region as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
(PoK).
During the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India
said the main reason behind disturbances in Kashmir is
Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that stems from Islamabad’s territorial
ambitions.
Pakistan’s dismal track record is well known and many countries have
repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration and
dismantle the terrorism infrastructure, Ajit Kumar, India’s ambassador
and permanent representative at the UN in Geneva, said.
India’s credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that
is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established
but Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic
norms and widespread human rights violations across the country
including Baluchistan, he said.
Resource-rich Baluchistan, which supplies much of the natural gas to
textile industry in Pakistan’s Punjab, has been battling waves of
insurgency by Baloch nationalists since 1948.
Pakistani forces have been accused of using excessive force in
Baluchistan and PoK. In his Independence Day speech this year, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the troubled regions, a move that
struck a chord with Baloch nationalists.
The mention of the regions is in line with the government’s recent
decision to raise rights violations to hit back at Pakistan for
allegedly stoking unrest in the Valley.
“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."
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,” Kumar said.
In a no-holds-barred offensive, he 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.”
India strongly rejects Pakistan’s continued misuse of the Council to
make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the
Indian state of J-K, the ambassador said. “This stems from Pakistan’s territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has
found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan
continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in
J-K,” he said.
Kashmir Valley has been on the boil since the killing of
Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. His death sparked
violent protests that killed 80 people and wounded 10,000 in the
two-month-long protests. Pakistani leaders have criticized India over
the Kashmir unrest. The move drew angry reaction from India, which
accused Islamabad of interfering in New Delhi’s internal affairs and
backing terrorism.
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 in the Valley.
He asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure
adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the
people in J-K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights
Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media.
In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme
economic hardship due to Pakistan’s authoritarian and discriminatory
policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added.
Emphasis that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer.“The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that
regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft."
The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan’s actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves,” the Indian envoy added. “The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror,” he said.
The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan’s actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves,” the Indian envoy added. “The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror,” he said.
Pakistan should focus its energies on improving human rights situation
within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Kumar said.
It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks
on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so
that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and
stability of the region - could be addressed effectively, he added.
Source>> Hindustan Times
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