CHENNAI: ’Taxila, one of the greatest learning centres of ancient times, is now host to the Ivy League of terrorism… The effects of its toxic curriculum are felt across the globe.” That was how Eenam Gambhir, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, described Pakistan soon after its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ended his speech at the UNGA debate on September 21.
Exercising India’s right to reply after Sharif’s address, which focused mostly on what he described as violation of human rights in Kashmir, Gambhir said Pakistan was a “terrorist state” which conducted “war crimes” against Indians through its “long-standing policy” of sponsoring terrorism.
“The worst violation of human rights is terrorism. Even today we have heard support from the Pakistan PM for a self-acknowledged commander of a known terrorist organisation,” she said, referring to Sharif’s description of Burhan Wani as a ‘young leader murdered by Indian forces.
In another blow to Pakistan, Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of China, and an “all-weather friend” of Pakistan, made no reference to Kashmir in his speech. According to Pakistani media, Li, who met Sharif before his speech, reportedly told him that China hoped that there would be a better understanding of Pakistan’s position on Kashmir by the international community and Beijing attaches great importance to Islamabad’s position.
According to the Pakistani television Channel Geo News, “stating that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism, the Chinese premier hoped the situation between India and Pakistan would not escalate.
However, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua had no references at all to Kashmir or India. While noting that “as all-weather strategic partners of cooperation, China and Pakistan have firmly supported each other and their friendship is unbreakable ….The premier also expressed hope that Pakistani side could take measures to guarantee the safety of the Chinese project staff in Pakistan,” said Xinhua.
Home Ministry examining Bugti’s plea for political asylum in India
The Home Ministry on Thursday said it has received an application from exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti seeking political asylum.
“We have received his application and it is under examination,” a ministry official. Bugti currently resides in Switzerland, where his application for asylum is pending for more than six years. Pakistan had blamed India for helping Bugti flee to Geneva in 2010 via Afghanistan.
Bugti, according to agencies, said Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the UNGA only shows Pakistan’s hypocrisy
UN chief snubs Pakistan on Kashmir, lays stress on ‘dialogue with India’
Rejecting Pakistan’s repeated demand to the United Nations to resolve the Kashmir dispute, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Nawaz Sharif that Pakistan and India should address their issues, including Kashmir, through “dialogue”.
Ban’s remarks came as Sharif handed over to him a dossier containing evidence of alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in Kashmir.
“The Secretary-General stressed the need for Pakistan and India to address their outstanding issues, including Kashmir, through dialogue, saying it is in the interest of both countries and the region,” UN statement said