Verbal Duel at the UN: Pakistan and India Exchange Charges on Civilian Casualties

Tensions ran high at the United Nations on Friday as delegates from Pakistan and India engaged in a heated exchange of words at the Security Council's debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. The Pakistani Ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, denounced the Indian military for targeting civilian areas, including homes and mosques, during its recent aggression against Pakistan. The Indian Ambassador, Parvathaneni Harish, responded by accusing Pakistan of using terrorism as a policy and lacking justification to talk about civilians.

The verbal duel escalated with the Pakistani delegate, Saima Saleem, accusing the Indian envoy of relying on disinformation, deflection, and denial. She claimed that India is involved in acts of terrorism, including the killing and maiming of civilians in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Ms. Saleem also pointed out that India has impeded the flow of rivers, which serve as a lifeline for 240 million people in Pakistan.

Pakistan had condemned the Pahalgam incident and called for an independent investigation, but India refused. Instead, it continues to subject the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to state-sponsored terrorism to suppress their legitimate freedom struggle. India's aggression has resulted in the deaths of 40 innocent civilians, including 7 women and 15 children, and injured 121 others, including 10 women and 27 children.

Key Takeaways:

• Pakistan's Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad denounced the Indian military for targeting civilian areas, including homes and mosques.
• Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish accused Pakistan of using terrorism as a policy and lacking justification to talk about civilians.
• Pakistani delegate Saima Saleem accused the Indian envoy of relying on disinformation, deflection, and denial and claimed that India is involved in acts of terrorism.
• Ms. Saleem pointed out that India has impeded the flow of rivers that serve as a lifeline for 240 million people in Pakistan.
• Pakistan had condemned the Pahalgam incident and called for an independent investigation, but India refused.
• India continues to subject the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to state-sponsored terrorism to suppress their legitimate freedom struggle.
• Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts and sacrifices are well-known and acknowledged globally, and Islamabad remains steadfast in its commitment to combat this menace.

Statistics:

• 240 million people in Pakistan rely on rivers as a lifeline.
• 40 innocent civilians, including 7 women and 15 children, were killed in India's recent aggression against Pakistan.
• 121 others, including 10 women and 27 children, were injured in the same incident.
• Pakistan has condemned the Pahalgam incident and called for an independent investigation.

Sources:

• Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
• Indian Ambassador to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish.
• Pakistani delegate, Saima Saleem, Counsellor at the Pakistan Mission to the UN.