Indian policies fueling instability and terrorism in the region: Pakistan
Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute, says Asim Iftikhar
United Nations: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has said that India’s policies and actions are contributing to regional instability and fostering terrorism, posing a serious threat to peace and security in South Asia.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing a UN Security Council session on Afghanistan,said that India was sponsoring, supporting and financing terrorist activities, and that certain militant groups were being used to undermine Pakistan’s security and stability.
Referring to Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations conducted in March, he said the actions targeted terrorist elements operating from Afghan territory and were not directed against the Afghan people. He emphasized that the operations were carried out with precision and professionalism, targeting drone facilities and arms depots while avoiding civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and rehabilitation centres. He added that videos released by Pakistan clearly demonstrated the nature of the targets.
The Pakistani envoy maintained that India’s activities in Afghanistan are aimed at destabilizing Pakistan and said Islamabad was not surprised by the growing engagement between India and the Afghan Taliban, particularly following Pakistan’s successful operations against terrorist networks.
Highlighting the human cost of terrorism, Asim Iftikhar said more than 1,200 Pakistanis were martyred in terrorist attacks during the past year.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, he said the territory remains an internationally recognized dispute and continues to be on the agenda of the UN Security Council.
He further said that the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) operates as a proxy of India and receives support and financial assistance from New Delhi.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan has borne the consequences of decades of conflict in Afghanistan and has made immense sacrifices for regional peace. He stressed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is essential for lasting peace, security and sustainable development across the region.
