New York : In a sharp rebuttal at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Pakistan firmly rejected India's accusations of terrorism sponsorship, labeling India not only as a "serial perpetrator of terrorism" but also as a "regional bully" that threatens peace and stability in South Asia.
Speaking in exercise of Pakistan’s right of reply, Second Secretary to the UN Muhammad Rashid directly responded to remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Rashid underscored that Pakistan has suffered immense losses in its battle against terrorism, with over 90,000 lives sacrificed in the fight.
“We are one of the strongest pillars in leading global efforts for combating terrorism, as also highlighted by my prime minister at this forum,” Rashid told the Assembly.
Rashid went on to accuse Indian intelligence agencies of operating cross-border networks aimed at destabilizing neighboring countries, citing credible reports of Indian involvement in sabotage and targeted killings abroad.
“Undermining regional stability and violating international law is a habit for India,” Rashid stated. “This country is not just a serial perpetrator of terrorism; it is a regional bully — a net destabiliser for the entire region, holding South Asia hostage to its hegemonic designs and radical ideology.”
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have flared repeatedly, most recently following a terrorist attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the attack — a claim Islamabad has vehemently denied. The dispute escalated into a four-day military confrontation, which both sides have described as one of the most intense in recent decades.
In a second right of reply, Rashid condemned India's alleged distortion of Pakistan’s name during its address, calling it “undignified” and a sign of “frustration.”
“Resorting to mockery of a sovereign nation-state's name is not just undignified, it is also a deliberate attempt to malign and insult an entire people,” he said. “By engaging in this kind of rhetoric, India diminishes its own credibility... showing the world that it has no substantive argument to offer — only cheap slurs, which are not worthy of serious discourse.”
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UNGA, stating that Pakistan was ready for peace in the region after successfully defending itself in the recent military conflict.
“We have won the war, and now we seek to win peace in our part of the world. This is my most sincere and serious offer before this assembly of the world nations,” the prime minister declared.
He praised Pakistan’s military leadership for repelling what he called an unprovoked Indian assault, commending Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Air Chief Marshal for their “stunning professionalism and bravery.”
