UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India to exert “maximum restraint” and step back from the brink of war as tensions between the South Asian countries soared.
Relations have reached “a boiling point,” Guterres told reporters, warning it was “essential … to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control. Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.”
Tensions escalated sharply between Pakistan and India after the April 22 attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any credible evidence, sparking a series of heated threats and diplomatic tit-for-tat measures.
Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian government’s accusations.
Pakistan has repeatedly called for a neutral, independent and transparent investigation into the incident. However, India has yet to respond to Pakistan’s offer.
Make no mistake
The UN chief condemned the Pahalgam attack and said perpetrators must be brought to justice. Urging both India and Pakistan to avoid military confrontation, he said, “Make no mistake, a military solution is no solution.”
He said that the UN offers its good offices to help in de-escalation dialogue and a return to peace between India and Pakistan. “I offer my good offices to both governments in the service at peace.”
Guterres added that it pains him to see relations reaching boiling point.
“Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their highest in years. I deeply respect and I am profoundly grateful to the government of the people of both countries and their significant contributions to the work of the United Nations, not least UN peacekeeping. And so it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point,” the UN chief said.
“It is also essential, especially at this critical hour, to avoid the military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.”
Guterres urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and step back from the brink of war. “Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink. That has been my message in my ongoing outreach with both countries.”
Pakistan offers independent probe
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, shared Pakistan’s serious concerns over India’s provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with Iran for peace, stability, and development in the region.
The Prime Minister categorically rejected any attempts to link Pakistan to the incident, without sharing any evidence.
He said Pakistan had offered that an international transparent, neutral and credible investigation be conducted to ascertain the facts behind the Pahalgam incident.
PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan had acted with maturity and responsibility, however, India had, on the other hand, created a media frenzy to divert the world’s attention away from the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remained the root cause of instability in South Asia.
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He also stressed that India’s weaponisation of the Indus Waters Treaty was unacceptable and a redline for the people of Pakistan.
UN Security Council to discuss Pakistan-India tensions
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold closed-door consultations on Monday to address rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
According to Business Standard, the meeting, scheduled for 3pm New York time by the Greek Presidency, was convened at Islamabad’s request.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced on May 4 that it would update the UN on regional developments following, including India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In addition to the five permanent members with veto power — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — the 10 non-permanent members in the council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia.
Pakistan will inform the UN Security Council about India’s aggressive actions, provocations, and inflammatory statements. It will specifically highlight India’s illegal measures aimed at suspending the Indus Water Treaty.
Besides, Pakistan will make it clear that how India’s aggressive actions are endangering peace and security in South Asia and beyond.
This important diplomatic initiative is part of Pakistan’s efforts to present accurate facts to the international community.
