India slams Pakistan for raking up J-K at UNHRC

India has slammed Pakistan for raking up Jammu and Kashmir at United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva for propagandist purposes while Islamabad conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Exercising India's fourth right of reply, India said, "Islamabad has had territorial ambitions over the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 and it has ben using this forum to rake up Jammu and Kashmir issue while it has a poor record in human rights in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir , in other parts of Pakistan , including Balochistan which is adversely affecting the stability of the entire region. Pakistan's continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardize the safety and security of its neighbouring countries," India said at the UN Human Rights Council.

India raised the issue of Balochistan again and urged the UNHRC to take a "clear-cut stance" against state-sponsored terrorism.

"The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Paldstan. Active support since 1989 to separatist groups in Kashmir and terrorist elements from different parts of the world including from territory under Pakistan's control has become a central element of Pakistan's state policy," the statement added.

India has urged the Council to call upon Pakistan to end cross border infiltration, dismantle the infrastructure of support to terrorism and to stop acting as an epicentre of international terrorism.

Pointing to the atrocities being done by the Pakistani authorities on the Balochis, India said, "The people of Balochistan , amongst other provhices, have been waging for decades a bitter and brave struggle against their daily abuse and torture. Religious and sectarian miniorities such as Hindus ,Christians, Sunnis, Ahmadiyas, Ismail. and others conthme to face discrimination, persecution and targeted attacks in Pakistan. Places of worship belonging to minorities have been destroyed and vandalised.Blasphemy laws remain in force and are disproportionately used against religious minorities."

Various international organizations have documented how enforced disappearances continue with impunity, particularly in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh where members of the Muttahida Quami movement are routinely abducted and unlawfully killed. More than a million people remain displaced as a result of the current and past armed conflicts in the northwest of Palcistan.

Given this state of affairs, Pakistan will be well-advised to focus energies on setting its own house in order and acting against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere.