Kashmir dispute is legal reality, not narrative, Pakistan tells UN rights body
Geneva : Pakistan has reaffirmed at the United Nations Human Rights Council that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, stressing that its status is a legal reality backed by international law and cannot be altered through unilateral actions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Pakistan’s First Secretary Adeel Mumtaz Khokhar, exercising the right to reply, categorically rejected India’s assertions and reiterated that the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir is enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. He emphasized that denial of the right to self-determination constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights under the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
Khokhar said India, which claims a leading global role, is obliged under the UN Charter to create conditions conducive for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination. He noted that Pakistan’s reminder of these obligations has unsettled India, prompting it to resort to baseless allegations.
Highlighting the situation in IIOJK, he said India’s actions have led to systematic suppression of fundamental freedoms, including the continued detention of political leaders, curbs on peaceful assembly, and restrictions on religious practices such as Friday prayers and Eid gatherings. “A state that fears prayers, fears its people,” he remarked.
The Pakistani diplomat further pointed to India’s involvement in cross-border terrorism, citing the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as evidence of Indian-sponsored activities in Pakistan. He added that India’s actions extend beyond the region, referencing the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the ongoing trial of Nikhil Gupta in the United States as indicative of a broader pattern.
Khokhar also criticized India’s unilateral move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, noting that the agreement contains no provision for such action. He warned that water should not be used as a political tool and treaty obligations must be respected.
Concluding, he said Pakistan has merely called on India to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities, urging it to adhere to international law instead of deflecting criticism.
