UNITED NATIONS/ AMN
India today termed Pakistan a terrorist state and accused it of carrying out war crimes against Indians through its long-standing policy of sponsoring terrorism. In a strong rebuttal, hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took up Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session, India said, the terrorists designated by the UN continued to roam Pakistan’s streets freely and operate with State support.
Exercising India’s Right of Reply to Sharif’s speech about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Eenam Gambhir said, the worst violation of human rights is terrorism. She said, sponsoring terrorism is Pakistan’ state policy and when it practiced as an instrument of state policy it is a war crime. The consequences of state sponsored terrorism have spread well beyond the region, she said.
Gambhir said, Pakistan channelises billions of dollars, much of it diverted from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours. India also strongly slammed Sharif for glorifying a self-acknowledged commander of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed on July 8 by the Indian forces.
In a reference to JeM chief Masood Azhar and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Gambhir said, terrorist entities and their leaders, including many designated by the UN, continue to roam the streets of Pakistan freely and operate with State’s support. She said, with the approval of authorities, many terrorist organisations raise funds openly in flagrant violation of Pakistan’s international obligations.
Gambhir said, Pakistan is a democracy deficit country and practices terrorism on its own people. It extends support to extremist groups, it suppresses minorities and women and denies basic human rights including through draconian laws, she added.