Pakistan’s representative at the United Nations has strongly refuted terrorism accusations made by India’s External Affairs Minister, turning the tables with counter-allegations during a heated exchange at the UN General Assembly.
Pakistani Response to Indian Claims
Mohammad Rashid, Pakistan’s diplomat, delivered a sharp rebuttal to External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s statements, characterizing them as a “failed attempt to malign Pakistan.” Speaking during his right of reply, Rashid emphasized Pakistan’s significant sacrifices in combating terrorism, noting that over 90,000 lives have been lost in this fight.
“The world acknowledges Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,” Rashid stated, countering India’s narrative with Pakistan’s own version of events.
Counter-Accusations Against India
Rather than simply defending Pakistan’s position, Rashid launched a comprehensive counter-offensive, accusing India of being “a sponsor of terrorists” and operating what he described as a cross-border terrorist network. He alleged that India uses proxy elements to conduct terrorist activities within Pakistani territory.
The Pakistani diplomat presented what he claimed was concrete evidence of Indian involvement in regional terrorism, citing two key examples: the situation in Kashmir and the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian naval officer whom Pakistan arrested and accused of espionage and terrorism.
Kashmir and Human Rights Allegations
Rashid directed particular attention to Kashmir, describing it as “Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir” where he alleged “state terrorism is routine.” He listed several serious accusations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, fake encounters, and collective punishments, all purportedly carried out under counterterrorism operations.
The Pahalgam Incident Dispute
Addressing what he termed “baseless claims” regarding the Pahalgam incident, Rashid criticized India’s immediate attribution of blame to Pakistan without evidence or investigation. He revealed that Pakistan had actually condemned the incident alongside other Security Council members and offered to conduct an independent investigation, which was reportedly rejected.
The diplomat alleged that India used this incident as justification for military action against Pakistan from May 7-10, resulting in what he claimed were 54 civilian casualties, including 15 children and 13 women. Pakistan’s response, according to Rashid, was measured and targeted specific objectives in self-defense.
Warning to International Community
In his address to the General Assembly President, Rashid warned that India’s behavior establishes a dangerous precedent for international law. He characterized India’s actions as a model for countries seeking to violate global norms through cross-border operations and aggression against neighbors.
Call for Diplomatic Resolution
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Rashid concluded with a call for peace, emphasizing that South Asia’s 1.9 billion people deserve prosperity and stability. He stressed that genuine progress requires sincerity, mutual respect, dialogue, and diplomacy—principles he claimed Pakistan consistently upholds.
“India, too, will eventually have to choose this path—if it truly desires peace,” Rashid concluded, leaving the door open for diplomatic engagement while maintaining Pakistan’s firm stance on the issues raised.
The exchange reflects the ongoing tensions between the two South Asian neighbors and their competing narratives on terrorism, regional security, and disputed territories.
