- Envoy Hasnain reaffirms Islamabad’s commitment to peace and regional stability, but makes clear that any threat to its sovereignty will be met with full resolve
GENEVA: Pakistan on Friday exercised its “Right of Reply” during the 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, in response to India’s continued attempts to mislead the international community. The statement was delivered by Mr. Danyal Hasnain, Second Secretary at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
Responding firmly, Mr. Hasnain laid bare India’s record of systematic violations of international law, its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, and its deliberate attempts to silence dissent and subvert regional peace. He pointed out that India’s occupation of a UN-recognised disputed territory, in clear defiance of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, stands as a serious challenge to the international rules-based order.
He noted that India continues to impose demographic changes in the occupied region, razes homes of innocent civilians, and uses collective punishment as a tool of repression—practices that contravene international humanitarian law. Mr. Hasnain reminded the Council that such actions are not isolated but part of a broader political architecture built on communal hatred and division.
India’s aggressive posture towards Pakistan, including its unprovoked cross-border attacks and water-related threats, was also brought to light. Mr. Hasnain warned that such provocations have, in the past, brought South Asia to the brink of nuclear confrontation. He underlined India’s repeated violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty, not just through military adventurism, but also through its ongoing support to terrorist groups operating on Pakistani soil.
In a moving personal reflection, Mr. Hasnain shared the story of Mr. Hidayatullah Jamote, a government officer recently martyred in Balochistan. He described Mr. Jamote as a bright and dedicated civil servant who had rejected extremist propaganda and chosen a path of service to his country. His life was cut short, Mr. Hasnain said, by terrorists supported and armed by India (Fitna ul Hindustan). “His loss is not just personal to me but deeply symbolic for all young Baloch who stand for peace and progress,” he said.
Mr. Hasnain also condemned India’s alarming pattern of targeting dissidents abroad, calling it a clear violation of international law and an attack on the sovereignty of other nations. These actions, he said, reflect a mindset that believes itself above accountability and beyond scrutiny.
In conclusion, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to peace and regional stability, but made clear that any threat to its sovereignty—whether through military aggression, terrorism, or subversion—will be met with full resolve. Pakistan will continue to expose Indian aggression and misrepresentation at every forum and remains steadfast in supporting the Kashmiri people’s legitimate right to self-determination.
