Pakistan calls on the UN Security Council to uphold its resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for a fair and lasting resolution while highlighting India's actions in the region.
Pakistan Calls on UNSC to Implement Resolutions on Kashmir Dispute
Pakistan has made a strong appeal to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging it to uphold its own resolutions regarding the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, addressed a high-level UNSC meeting, emphasizing the need for international intervention to ensure Kashmiris' right to self-determination.
Background: India’s Actions in Occupied Kashmir
In August 2019, the Indian government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by repealing Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The controversial move, which stripped the region of its autonomy, was upheld by India’s Supreme Court in December 2023, despite widespread opposition from Kashmiri leaders and international human rights groups.
Following local elections in November last year, the legislative assembly of Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) demanded the restoration of the special status, a request swiftly rejected by Modi’s government. Tensions between Pakistan and India escalated further in January this year after the Indian army chief labeled Pakistan as the “epicenter of terrorism,” prompting a firm response from Pakistan’s military.
Pakistan’s Stance at the UN
Addressing the UNSC debate on ‘Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations — Responding to New Realities,’ Fatemi reaffirmed that the Kashmir issue remains unresolved on the UNSC agenda. He urged the council to implement its resolutions, which promise Kashmiris the right to determine their future through a UN-supervised plebiscite.
A statement from Pakistan’s Mission to the UN reiterated that the Security Council has an obligation to facilitate a fair and lasting resolution to the Kashmir conflict. Pakistan also highlighted its commitment to UN peacekeeping operations, noting that it has contributed 235,000 troops to 48 missions worldwide and continues to support global peace initiatives.
Challenges in UN Peacekeeping and Pakistan’s Contributions
Fatemi outlined the evolving challenges facing peacekeeping operations, which are increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalries, lack of political commitment, and inadequate funding. He stressed the importance of modernizing peacekeeping strategies and proposed several measures to enhance effectiveness:
Stronger political commitment from UN member states.
Clear and situation-specific mandates for peacekeeping missions.
Political solutions as a primary focus.
Adequate financial support.
Advanced training and modern equipment.
Thoughtful mission transitions to prevent instability.
Early peacebuilding initiatives.
Greater consultation with troop-contributing countries.
Pakistan will be hosting the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial preparatory meeting in Islamabad next month, with outcomes expected to shape the future direction of UN peace operations.
Pakistan Rejects Indian Claims on Kashmir
Pakistan also strongly refuted India’s claim that occupied Kashmir is its “integral part.” Pakistani delegate Gul Qaiser Sarwani addressed the UNSC, stating that Jammu and Kashmir remains a disputed territory as recognized by the UN and the international community.
“Every official UN map marks Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed region,” Sarwani pointed out in response to Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish’s assertion that Kashmir has always been part of India. He further condemned India’s military presence in the region, highlighting that over 900,000 Indian troops have been deployed in occupied Kashmir, where more than 100,000 Kashmiris have lost their lives since 1989.
Sarwani also criticized India’s labeling of legitimate Kashmiri resistance as “terrorism” and accused the Indian government of state-sponsored violence. Additionally, he pointed out India’s alleged support for terrorist organizations targeting Pakistan, including the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
Conclusion
Pakistan’s renewed push at the UNSC underscores its commitment to advocating for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and holding India accountable for its actions in the region. As tensions persist, Pakistan continues to urge the international community to intervene and ensure a just resolution in line with the UNSC’s own resolutions.
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