During a heated debate on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, Pakistan lambasted India\u2019s criticism of cross-border strikes, accusing Delhi of complicity in the terror threat at the western border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan\u2019s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad exchanged strong words with his Indian and Afghan counterparts after the former accused Islamabad of \u201cflagrant violations of international law\u201d during the Pak-Afghan conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the session, India\u2019s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish said his country \u201creiterates UNSG\u2019s deep concern at civilian casualties caused by cross-border violence and strongly condemns airstrikes which are flagrant violations of international law, UN Charter and state sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India also expressed \u201cgrave concern on \u2018trade and transit terrorism\u2019\u201d and said, \u201cthese vulnerabilities of Land-Locked Developing Countries should not be weaponised\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Ahmad, following the remarks from the Indian and Afghan representatives, said he was compelled to take the floor again, terming India\u2019s remarks as \u201cno surprise\u201d, given India\u2019s \u201canimosity towards Pakistan and the sole objective of its Afghan policy being to destabilise Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He accused India of \u201cactively supporting and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch Liberation Army\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that although India\u2019s representative had spoken at length about the security situation in Afghanistan, mentioning civilian casualties and border clashes, there was no acknowledgement of the \u201cterrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan\u201d because of India\u2019s own complicity in the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that Pakistan had provided \u201cirrefutable evidence of India\u2019s collusion with terrorist groups that are engaged in orchestrating violent attacks against Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne can sense India\u2019s pain in seeing its heavy investment in the Afghan terrorist franchise going to waste as a result of Pakistan\u2019s precise and effective action against terrorist camps and support bases inside Afghanistan,\u201d Ambassador Ahmad remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to Indian concerns over Pakistani violations, the envoy described India as \u201ca serial violator of international law\u201d that had illegally occupied territory, violated the UN Charter and UNSC resolutions, perpetrated state terrorism in India-Occupied Kashmir and beyond, systematically marginalised minorities, spread hate, and weaponised water with the express goal of starving Pakistan\u2019s population, and deployed disinformation as a state policy. \u201cAnd the list goes on,\u201d the envoy added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Ahmad stated that Pakistan\u2019s \u201clegitimate counter-terrorism operations are not directed against the brotherly people of Afghanistan, and are only meant to neutralise the persistent threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added Pakistan\u2019s actions were \u201cin full conformity with the right to self-defence and international humanitarian law\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Ahmad said that while India had \u201calways played the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan,\u201d Pakistan had \u201cengaged responsibly in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that these goals could only be promoted if \u201cthe Taliban regime fulfils its commitments with respect to counter-terrorism, inclusive governance and upholding the rights of Afghan women and girls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He urged India to \u201ccease and desist from its policy of stoking terrorism inside Pakistan from Afghan soil, now together with their newfound friends in the Taliban regime\u201d, and said Pakistan would not allow \u201ctheir sabotage and subversion from Afghan soil to nourish and harm Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pakistani envoy also took exception to remarks made by Naseer Ahmad Faiq, who serves as Charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires ad interim of Afghan Permanent Mission to the UN \u2500 but is not officially recognised by Afghanistan\u2019s de facto Taliban authorities. Faiq had highlighted civilian casualties in the Pak-Afghanistan conflict and stressed the need to fight terrorism. However, he did not mention Al Qaeda, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or other groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Ahmad hit back at Faiq, questioning the value and credibility of his remarks. \u201cThe so-called representative of Afghanistan, who in fact does not represent anyone but himself, must not abuse this forum to pursue his personal agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Describing Faiq as \u201csequestered in New York\u201d, Ahmad said the former was \u201ccompletely cut off from ground realities\u201d and had \u201cchosen to selectively comment on some aspects of the situation, particularly with reference to Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahmad said Faiq had \u201cnothing to say about cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan that is so heavily impacting Pakistan in terms of casualties among civilians, among our armed forces, law enforcement agencies and infrastructure\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n