Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

India is lying about Kashmir, Pak tells UN

Last updated on: September 30, 2010 10:02 IST
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna

In a rare action, Pakistan accused External Affairs Minister S M Krishna of making a 'self-serving claim' at the United Nations General Assembly about Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of the country.

While exercising its right of reply, Pakistan also lambasted the minister's statement about India's credentials of a democratic and pluralistic society and its aspiration to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Reportage: Suman Guha Mozumder in New York

India is lying about Kashmir, Pak tells UN

Last updated on: September 30, 2010 10:02 IST
A protest in Kashmir

In a statement late on Wednesday evening, Ambassador Amjad Hussain B Sial, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan, said at the UNGA that Krishna's statement was 'far from truth and reality.'

In his address at the UNGA, Krishna had said that Islamabad should fulfill its 'solemn commitment' of not allowing its territory to be used for terrorism directed against India, particularly against Jammu and Kashmir, which is 'an integral part of India'.

India is lying about Kashmir, Pak tells UN

Last updated on: September 30, 2010 10:02 IST
A policeman guards the deserted streets of Srinagar

Sial claimed that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory and the United Nations has passed more than a dozen resolutions calling for a settlement of the dispute through a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the UN. Numerous undertakings and statements made solemnly by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru are on record testifying the fact, he said.

"It is amazing that a country that continues to violate several UN resolutions, including those of the Security Council, and fails to fulfill the commitments made by its leaders, both to the international community as well as the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, has the audacity not only to claim democratic and pluralistic credentials but also aspires to become a permanent member of the Security Council," he said.

India is lying about Kashmir, Pak tells UN

Last updated on: September 30, 2010 10:02 IST
An anti-India protest in Lahore

Reacting to Krishna's assertion that Pakistan cannot 'lecture India' on human rights and democracy, Sial said that Pakistan has only echoed in its statements what has been said and reported by international and Indian NGOs and the media about the brutal human rights violations of Kashmiris.

"If it pains India to listen to the truth from Pakistan, I can quote a number of statements made by the international community as well as by well-reputed international and Indian NGOs, which have expressed similar serious concerns," Sial said.

 

India is lying about Kashmir, Pak tells UN

Last updated on: September 30, 2010 10:02 IST
A protestor throws stones at policemen

India hit back by telling the UNGA that violence in Jammu and Kashmir has been "fuelled over the past decades by external forces which do not want peace and progress in our region."

"This is a well-known fact. The Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of all our people, including our brethren in Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. Free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been regularly held and the people of Jammu and Kashmir have exercised their right to franchise to elect their representatives," India said.

India is lying about Kashmir, Pak tells UN

Last updated on: September 30, 2010 10:02 IST
A youngster peers from behind a securityman in Maisuma, Srinagar

In response to Pakistan's right of reply, India said Islamabad's remarks were uncalled for.

"Rather than making unsolicited remarks about the internal affairs of others, Pakistan should seriously concentrate on addressing the enormous challenges confronting it --  terrorism, extremism and sectarianism, to name a few and the dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure that exists on territory under its control," India said.

"We reject all untenable and unsolicited remarks from the distinguished delegate of Pakistan," India said exercising its second right of reply.