ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed a report issued by United Nations human rights experts that raises serious concerns over India’s military actions against Pakistan in May this year, as well as New Delhi’s broader conduct, which the report says has implications for regional and global peace and stability.
In a statement on Friday, the President said the report endorses Pakistan’s long-standing position that the unilateral use of force across international borders violates the United Nations Charter and constitutes a grave breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
He said the report’s findings regarding civilian casualties, damage to populated areas and religious sites in Pakistan during the May hostilities, as well as the heightened risk of escalation caused by India’s actions, were deeply alarming.
Aggressive posture
President Zardari appreciated the report’s observations on India’s unilateral declaration of “holding in abeyance” its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty, its aggressive posture and statements and the serious civilian losses resulting from Indian aggression.
He stressed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains a binding international agreement and a cornerstone of regional stability, warning that bypassing agreed dispute-resolution mechanisms and taking actions that affect water flows violate Pakistan’s rights and risk creating serious humanitarian and human rights consequences.
The President said the report reflects growing international concern over what he described as India’s conduct as a rogue state, increasingly acting as a global bully through coercion, intimidation, and the normalisation of force and violence instead of adherence to law and dialogue.
He added that credible reports of transnational violence and targeted killings allegedly linked to India, raised in multiple countries, point to a dangerous pattern that extends beyond South Asia and undermines established global norms.
The President also voiced concern that the report clearly manifests the irresponsible state behaviour of India.
Marginalising minorities
He said India has a long history of marginalising its minorities and disregarding its commitments to international forums such as the United Nations, warning that this pattern of what he described as rogue behaviour cannot be allowed to persist.
The President noted the report’s clear conclusion that international law does not recognise any separate or unilateral right to the use of military force under the pretext of counter-terrorism.
He said the report’s affirmation of Pakistan’s inherent right to self-defence under international law underscores the gravity of the violations identified.
Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the UN experts’ scrutiny of India’s regional conduct, including concerns relating to support for terror outfits and the use of an illegitimate Afghan government to advance hostile objectives and called for transparency and accountability in this regard.
The President also welcomed the call by UN Special Rapporteurs for the presentation of credible evidence, compensation for civilian losses, strict adherence to treaty obligations, and a renewed commitment to peaceful dialogue, including on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, restraint and respect for international law, the President said Pakistan will continue to pursue diplomatic and legal avenues to safeguard its sovereignty, protect the rights of its people and promote stability in the region.
