Pakistan Calls India’s Kashmir Occupation Root Cause of South Asian Instability

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar, addressed a debate at the UN Security Council on peace, justice, and multilateralism. He emphasized that India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir is the root cause of instability in South Asia.

Asim Iftikhar stated that denying Kashmiris their right to self-determination constitutes a grave violation of human rights. He underscored the importance of upholding international law for peace, justice, and collective security. The rule of law remains under severe challenge today, as unilateral actions undermine these principles.

Iftikhar pointed out that Pakistan has faced violations similar to those India inflicts on Kashmiri civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Last year, India’s aggression against Pakistan’s sovereignty was evident through its violation of territorial integrity. In response, Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense responsibly, demonstrating the unacceptable nature of oppression under any circumstances.

Iftikhar further noted that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty contravenes international law and exacerbates regional instability. He reiterated that only respect for international norms distinguishes between states, emphasizing that any situation arising from coercion or exceptionalism is unacceptable.

Lastly, Iftikhar stressed Pakistan’s rejection of the notion of weaponizing natural resources such as water to achieve political objectives.