UNHRC expresses concerned over Citizenship Amendment Bill protests in India. UNHRC calls for restoration of peace in Assam & Tripura.

UNHRC concerned over Citizenship Amendment Bill protest

India on Friday said that Pakistan "made up the number" of 58 countries it claimed backed Islamabad at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in September.&nbsp;

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar at the weekly presser said, "I haven't seen the list.. this is a question should be addressed to them and this is something they have been claiming since the beginning. I don't think they have been able to show this list of countries"

"I saw this interview in which somebody asked about the list of countries and they were not able able to produce. Sometimes they make up the number, which they did, at a time people are asking the list, they don't have," he added.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi lost his cool in an interview to a Pakistani channel when asked about the names of the 58 countries who Islamabad claimed backed them at UNHRC.&nbsp;

Pakistan also failed to muster any support to table a resolution on Kashmir at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

On Pakistan PM urging protestors to cross the line of control or LOC, MEA called it "provocative and irresponsible" language by a person who occupies "high constitutional office" and does not know how "to conduct international relations".

"It's not normal behaviour," he added.

On Pakistan going to United Nations security council so that 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed can get basic expenses, MEA said, "One country gives an application on the behalf of global terrorist to UNSC Sanctions committee so that he can get pocket money. They give application for pocket money and then they say why we don't trust them when they say they acting on terrorist. This is the duplicity we talk about"

Pakistani government in its request said Saeed is the sole supporter of his four-member family. The development came just a day before Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed to United Nations General Assembly.

Saeed who worked as an assistant professor in University of engineering technology in Lahore retired in 1999 and was drawing a pension of Pakistan RS 45700 through Habib bank. However, his bank account was blocked after UNSC listed him, freezing his assets.

India on Friday said that Pakistan "made up the number" of 58 countries it claimed backed Islamabad at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in September.

India on Friday said that Pakistan "made up the number" of 58 countries it claimed backed Islamabad at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in September. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar at the weekly presser said, "I haven't seen the list.. this is a question should be addressed to them and this is something they have been claiming since the beginning. I don't think they have been able to show this list of countries" "I saw this interview in which somebody asked about the list of countries and they were not able able to produce. Sometimes they make up the number, which they did, at a time people are asking the list, they don't have," he added. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi lost his cool in an interview to a Pakistani channel when asked about the names of the 58 countries who Islamabad claimed backed them at UNHRC. Pakistan also failed to muster any support to table a resolution on Kashmir at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. On Pakistan PM urging protestors to cross the line of control or LOC, MEA called it "provocative and irresponsible" language by a person who occupies "high constitutional office" and does not know how "to conduct international relations". "It's not normal behaviour," he added. On Pakistan going to United Nations security council so that 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed can get basic expenses, MEA said, "One country gives an application on the behalf of global terrorist to UNSC Sanctions committee so that he can get pocket money. They give application for pocket money and then they say why we don't trust them when they say they acting on terrorist. This is the duplicity we talk about" Pakistani government in its request said Saeed is the sole supporter of his four-member family. The development came just a day before Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed to United Nations General Assembly. Saeed who worked as an assistant professor in University of engineering technology in Lahore retired in 1999 and was drawing a pension of Pakistan RS 45700 through Habib bank. However, his bank account was blocked after UNSC listed him, freezing his assets.

'Pakistan made up the numbers': India on Islamabad claiming support of 58 countries at UNHRC  

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi lost his cool on being asked to name the 58 countries that Prime Minister Imran Khan commended for backing Islamabad on its stance on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/youth-from-jammu-and-kashmir-line-up-to-join-indian-army-in-srinagar-253536">Kashmir</a> issue at the UNHRC.

During a talk show on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-summons-indian-envoy-following-ceasefire-violation-along-line-of-control-253275">Pakistan </a>TV channel Express-News, Qureshi was asked the question as he had repeatedly endorsed Khan's statement that 58 countries had supported Islamabad on the Kashmir issue, reported Sputnik news agency.

"On whose agenda are you working?"Khan snapped at talk show host Javed Chaudhry.

"Are you going to tell me or decide which countries have or have not supported Pakistan at the UN? You may write whatever you want!"

On being again pressed for endorsing Khan's comment on his own Twitter handle, Qureshi said, No! No! Show me the tweet I have written, not what Prime Minister Khan has written. You have said my tweet shows that to me. I want my tweet."

Oddly still, after the minister was shown the tweet, Qureshi said he found nothing wrong in the tweet. "I stand by what I have said. What is so surprising in this whose agenda are you following?.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi lost his cool on being asked to name the 58 countries that Prime Minister Imran Khan commended for backing Islamabad on its stance on the Kashmir issue at the UNHRC.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi lost his cool on being asked to name the 58 countries that Prime Minister Imran Khan commended for backing Islamabad on its stance on the Kashmir issue at the UNHRC. During a talk show on Pakistan TV channel Express-News, Qureshi was asked the question as he had repeatedly endorsed Khan's statement that 58 countries had supported Islamabad on the Kashmir issue, reported Sputnik news agency. "On whose agenda are you working?"Khan snapped at talk show host Javed Chaudhry. "Are you going to tell me or decide which countries have or have not supported Pakistan at the UN? You may write whatever you want!" On being again pressed for endorsing Khan's comment on his own Twitter handle, Qureshi said, No! No! Show me the tweet I have written, not what Prime Minister Khan has written. You have said my tweet shows that to me. I want my tweet." Oddly still, after the minister was shown the tweet, Qureshi said he found nothing wrong in the tweet. "I stand by what I have said. What is so surprising in this whose agenda are you following?.

Qureshi loses cool when asked to name 58 countries supporting Islamabad on Kashmir issue

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a side event was held on Wednesday at UN office in Geneva during the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council.

Experts and diplomats shared a platform to discuss Gandhi's message of non-violence in the modern age.

The title of the theme was 'International Day of Non-Violence: Mahatma Gandhi's thinking and the University of Human Rights': In this period of global uncertainty, the multiplication conflicts, the threat of war, the destruction of the environment, natural disasters, the rise of hatred, violent extremism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, racism and racial discrimination; the Non-Violence advocated by Mahatma Gandhi remains forever a source of inspiration for the well being of humanity.

In his address, Shaibal Roy Chowdhury, Minister and Consul General of India in Geneva said, "It is a great pride for India that the UN has honoured the memory of our father of the nation by designating October 2 as the International Non-Violence Day".

"Mahatma Gandhi was born in India but he belongs to the entire humanity. His life and values inspire people across continents. The most influential Indian of the 20th century, Gandhi ji remains the benchmark against which we access our public functionaries, political ideas and government policies as well as hopes and aspirations of our country and our people," he said.

Sultan Chouzour, Ambassador, Permanent representative of Comoro's at the UN Geneva and Valeriane Bernard of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University UN Representative also attended the event to share their thoughts about Mahatma Gandhi.

Maroof Raza, a writer and commentator from India said, "India's respect for human rights and the respect for men and human being was reflected in its modern history when it went to East Pakistan following a major genocide by Pakistan Army."

He added, "The recent initiative against India that we were taking away human rights of the Kashmiri people by a closed-door meeting at UN Security Council did not come in for criticism from 13 at least of the 15 members of the UNSC because world today recognises India's solid credentials based on the Gandhian philosophy of respect for life, being, nature and even animals. So let us not only harp on human beings."

On the occasion, a book authored by Khalid Jehangir, a Kashmiri was also launched.

The book titled "They snatched my playground" is a personal narrative of journalist-turned-BJP leader from Kashmir about his life in the Valley. It also talks about terrorism and politics in Kashmir, and the silent majority whose voices are rarely heard.

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a side event was held on Wednesday at UN office in Geneva during the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council.

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a side event was held on Wednesday at UN office in Geneva during the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council. Experts and diplomats shared a platform to discuss Gandhi's message of non-violence in the modern age. The title of the theme was 'International Day of Non-Violence: Mahatma Gandhi's thinking and the University of Human Rights': In this period of global uncertainty, the multiplication conflicts, the threat of war, the destruction of the environment, natural disasters, the rise of hatred, violent extremism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, racism and racial discrimination; the Non-Violence advocated by Mahatma Gandhi remains forever a source of inspiration for the well being of humanity. In his address, Shaibal Roy Chowdhury, Minister and Consul General of India in Geneva said, "It is a great pride for India that the UN has honoured the memory of our father of the nation by designating October 2 as the International Non-Violence Day". "Mahatma Gandhi was born in India but he belongs to the entire humanity. His life and values inspire people across continents. The most influential Indian of the 20th century, Gandhi ji remains the benchmark against which we access our public functionaries, political ideas and government policies as well as hopes and aspirations of our country and our people," he said. Sultan Chouzour, Ambassador, Permanent representative of Comoro's at the UN Geneva and Valeriane Bernard of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University UN Representative also attended the event to share their thoughts about Mahatma Gandhi. Maroof Raza, a writer and commentator from India said, "India's respect for human rights and the respect for men and human being was reflected in its modern history when it went to East Pakistan following a major genocide by Pakistan Army." He added, "The recent initiative against India that we were taking away human rights of the Kashmiri people by a closed-door meeting at UN Security Council did not come in for criticism from 13 at least of the 15 members of the UNSC because world today recognises India's solid credentials based on the Gandhian philosophy of respect for life, being, nature and even animals. So let us not only harp on human beings." On the occasion, a book authored by Khalid Jehangir, a Kashmiri was also launched. The book titled "They snatched my playground" is a personal narrative of journalist-turned-BJP leader from Kashmir about his life in the Valley. It also talks about terrorism and politics in Kashmir, and the silent majority whose voices are rarely heard.

Tributes paid to Mahatma Gandhi at UNHRC to mark his 150th birth anniversary

With just one week left for the United Nations Human Rights Council to get over, India has been able to thwart Pakistan's attempts to rake up the Kashmir issue at the Geneva-based body.&nbsp;

The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council is underway in Geneva where the headquarters of UNHRC is located from September 9 to 27.

Behind India’s victory was the work of 9 Indian diplomats who were able to make sure Pakistan's attempts to raise Kashmir fall flat at the UN institution.&nbsp;

The 9-member team was led by secretary east Vijay Thakur Singh who was entrusted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to chalk out the detailed strategy.

Some of the key members were India’s envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, India’s permanent representative to UN, Rajiv Chander; Deputy Permanent Representative to UN, Puneet Aggarwal; first secretary in India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, Vimarsh Aryan; Animesh Choudhury, first secretary covering economic matters in the sphere of human rights; Mini Devi; Gloria Gangte and Alok Ranjan Jha.

Bisaria, who was sent back by Pakistan after the decision by New Delhi to revoke special status for Jammu and Kashmir, camped in Geneva and reached out to UNHRC members. Ajay Bisaria, who was the private secretary to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, met UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on Friday and briefed about New Delhi’s rationale on revoking Article 370. The fact that Bisaria was sent as part of the team is considered a masterstroke by EAM Jaishankar.

Vimarsh Aryan, who slammed Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, hails from Jammu and Kashmir and is the only Indian diplomat who has served there for 3 years. The fact that the MEA chose a diplomat who from J&amp;K to reply to Pak's foreign minister is a message in itself which will be noticed across the world, especially in Islamabad. His right of reply went viral, and on the day of the reply, he became one of the Twitter trends in India. Vimarsh had, in the past, served as the private secretary to former minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs General VK Singh. Vimarsh, who speaks Arabic fluently, reached out to Arab diplomats.

Animesh has reached out to several countries in the neighbourhood and Latin America. Because of his fluency in Spanish, his outreach to the Latin American countries was significant and effective. Given his experience in handling high-pressure assignments, as private secretary to former Minister of State for External Affairs, he was roped in to deal with the important assignment.

MEA had deputed Gloria Gangte and Alok Ranjan Jha from New Delhi specially for the human rights session. They were chosen since they had previous experience in the field of human rights. Both officers had previously served in the Indian Mission in Geneva. Mini Devi, first secretary in India’s permanent mission in Geneva, covers Human Rights and was actively involved in the entire exercise. 
&nbsp; 
Islamabad could not muster any support to bring a resolution on Kashmir - something the country was aiming for and failed despite claiming to have the support of 50 countries. The list of 50 countries backing Pakistan was never released by Islamabad.

With just one week left for the United Nations Human Rights Council to get over, India has been able to thwart Pakistan's attempts to rake up the Kashmir issue at the Geneva-based body.

With just one week left for the United Nations Human Rights Council to get over, India has been able to thwart Pakistan's attempts to rake up the Kashmir issue at the Geneva-based body. The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council is underway in Geneva where the headquarters of UNHRC is located from September 9 to 27. Behind India’s victory was the work of 9 Indian diplomats who were able to make sure Pakistan's attempts to raise Kashmir fall flat at the UN institution. The 9-member team was led by secretary east Vijay Thakur Singh who was entrusted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to chalk out the detailed strategy. Some of the key members were India’s envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, India’s permanent representative to UN, Rajiv Chander; Deputy Permanent Representative to UN, Puneet Aggarwal; first secretary in India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, Vimarsh Aryan; Animesh Choudhury, first secretary covering economic matters in the sphere of human rights; Mini Devi; Gloria Gangte and Alok Ranjan Jha. Bisaria, who was sent back by Pakistan after the decision by New Delhi to revoke special status for Jammu and Kashmir, camped in Geneva and reached out to UNHRC members. Ajay Bisaria, who was the private secretary to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, met UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on Friday and briefed about New Delhi’s rationale on revoking Article 370. The fact that Bisaria was sent as part of the team is considered a masterstroke by EAM Jaishankar. Vimarsh Aryan, who slammed Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, hails from Jammu and Kashmir and is the only Indian diplomat who has served there for 3 years. The fact that the MEA chose a diplomat who from J&K to reply to Pak's foreign minister is a message in itself which will be noticed across the world, especially in Islamabad. His right of reply went viral, and on the day of the reply, he became one of the Twitter trends in India. Vimarsh had, in the past, served as the private secretary to former minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs General VK Singh. Vimarsh, who speaks Arabic fluently, reached out to Arab diplomats. Animesh has reached out to several countries in the neighbourhood and Latin America. Because of his fluency in Spanish, his outreach to the Latin American countries was significant and effective. Given his experience in handling high-pressure assignments, as private secretary to former Minister of State for External Affairs, he was roped in to deal with the important assignment. MEA had deputed Gloria Gangte and Alok Ranjan Jha from New Delhi specially for the human rights session. They were chosen since they had previous experience in the field of human rights. Both officers had previously served in the Indian Mission in Geneva. Mini Devi, first secretary in India’s permanent mission in Geneva, covers Human Rights and was actively involved in the entire exercise. Islamabad could not muster any support to bring a resolution on Kashmir - something the country was aiming for and failed despite claiming to have the support of 50 countries. The list of 50 countries backing Pakistan was never released by Islamabad.

Meet 9 Indian diplomats behind India's masterstroke at UNHRC, Geneva

There's been another setback for Pakistan at UNHRC. Pakistan got no support for Kashmir resolution again.

Another setback for Pakistan at UNHRC, no support for Kashmir resolution

Given the speed and alacrity with which Pakistan has moved after August 5, 2019, the day the constitutional and administrative decisions on Jammu &amp; Kashmir (J&amp;K) were taken by the Indian government, proves the dismay caused in Pakistan. As long as a special status existed for J&amp;K, separatism was a live phenomenon. The Pakistani narrative has seen much traction in Kashmir because it was against India, although, it hardly supported the core Kashmiri intent of Azadi. The Indian argument that history had overtaken the UN resolutions on J&amp;K and these were now void flew in the face of the special status India continued to accord to J&amp;K, leaving it as a territory whose status had yet to be settled. However, the abrogation of J&amp;K’s &nbsp;special status and its down gradation to a union territory put a spoke into Pakistan’s larger game plan because India put the stamp of integrated Indian territory on J&amp;K. 25 years ago through another bold action India had passed an All Party Joint Parliamentary Resolution on February &nbsp;22, 1994, declaring that the entire territory held by the then Maharaja of J&amp;K belonged to India.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Army along with the other elements of the deep state know that time is not on their side and that India’s new approach to countering the proxy hybrid conflict could get more effective by the day. As it is the three track strategy of instigating internal turbulence through established networks, external castigation of India by influential members of the international community including institutions, and enhancing alienation using its usually very effective communication strategy, has thus far all come cropper. However, Pakistan’s strategic thinkers would also be closely monitoring the situation within J&amp;K and re-strategising based upon some assumptions.

The start point is the projection by Pakistan that the Kashmiri population has not accepted the Indian government’s decisions. For that there is a need for the world to see that their is violence and mayhem on the streets. By itself that may be insufficient although Pakistan would be happy to see some casualties; in 2016 by contrast 40 or more people had lost their lives in four weeks of agitation; this time it’s just one. The agitation mode is subject to will and stamina and needs much effort at mobilisation. The communication lock down has effectively denied a toehold in this sphere. A series of supplementary violent acts by terrorists against the Army and Police organisations sustains longer than agitation. Hence the need for increasing the strength of terrorists. Local recruitment under current and foreseeable future circumstances will be difficult especially under high levels of army and police deployment and surveillance. Gulmarg and its vicinity has been devoid of infiltration for sometime. Suddenly a surge of activity is taking place there. The Haji Pir bulge is a suitable launch pad and the routes lead directly into South Kashmir where the fulcrum of the current resistance exists. It is also likely that Pakistan will use other less frequented routes and cater for high level levels of attrition that could result from encounters with the Indian Army; this has long been JuD chief Hafiz Sayeed’s strategy. It’s a situation very akin to 1991-92 when foreign terrorists were first used in Kashmir to boost militancy. &nbsp;

Apprehension that a big terror attack in &nbsp;Southern or Central India is in the offing could prove right too. With the Islamic State (IS) terror attacks in Sri Lanka on April 2019 the scope for execution and denial by Pakistan has increased manifold. Tactical alliance between terror groups for temporary mutual gain is also not unknown; the ISI garnering services of the IS thus remains plausible. Pakistan’s international focus will remain the projection of the idea of ‘false flag’ in relation to a high profile terror attack, mostly involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) anywhere in Kashmir’s hinterland or in rest of India. India has worked insufficiently on this till date and its diplomatic campaigns must include nailing the Pakistani lie on false flag.&nbsp;

The adoption of offensive information and psychological warfare awaits the lifting of the communication lockdown of Kashmir. Mobile internet facility being denied in Kashmir has been frowned upon by Indian intelligentsia and international clamour to restore this ‘human right’ has been increasing. Pakistan’s propaganda machinery awaits the full lifting of the lockdown to flood the networks of social media with enough seditious literature and messages.

While Indian counters to this have been developing these are yet insufficient; this is where the focus of Delhi’s efforts must lie forthrightly and boldly citing national security and adopting a balanced attitude towards human rights.

This is the other issue on which the UNHRC will not remain the last bastion of Pakistan’s focus of painting Indian human rights record in different colours. We should remain alert to continuing our efforts to counter Pakistan’s propaganda in international think tanks and the high profile media where Pakistani traction continues to remain high.

Pakistan will find that the partial and progressive success of Indian agencies in taking control of financial networks will largely block its ability to mobilise support and run terror activities. It’s strategy is once again likely to shift towards fake currency and funding from within India. This is where other borders such as along Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab are likely to be activated for induction of fake currency.

Lastly, the diplomatic support to India and relatively cool attitude towards Pakistan on the part of GCC countries is likely to peeve Pakistan no end leading to renewed efforts by it to cultivate negative opinion on India in these important nations. The media in these countries is important too and it’s opinion makes international opinion in the Islamic world. India’s engagement with the GCC media too is warranted even as all eyes now await 27 September the day the UN General Assembly.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-jk-pakistan-s-next-steps-2789585">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Given the speed and alacrity with which Pakistan has moved after August 5, 2019, the day the constitutional and administrative decisions on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) were taken by the Indian government, proves the dismay caused in Pakistan.

Given the speed and alacrity with which Pakistan has moved after August 5, 2019, the day the constitutional and administrative decisions on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) were taken by the Indian government, proves the dismay caused in Pakistan. As long as a special status existed for J&K, separatism was a live phenomenon. The Pakistani narrative has seen much traction in Kashmir because it was against India, although, it hardly supported the core Kashmiri intent of Azadi. The Indian argument that history had overtaken the UN resolutions on J&K and these were now void flew in the face of the special status India continued to accord to J&K, leaving it as a territory whose status had yet to be settled. However, the abrogation of J&K’s special status and its down gradation to a union territory put a spoke into Pakistan’s larger game plan because India put the stamp of integrated Indian territory on J&K. 25 years ago through another bold action India had passed an All Party Joint Parliamentary Resolution on February 22, 1994, declaring that the entire territory held by the then Maharaja of J&K belonged to India. The Pakistan Army along with the other elements of the deep state know that time is not on their side and that India’s new approach to countering the proxy hybrid conflict could get more effective by the day. As it is the three track strategy of instigating internal turbulence through established networks, external castigation of India by influential members of the international community including institutions, and enhancing alienation using its usually very effective communication strategy, has thus far all come cropper. However, Pakistan’s strategic thinkers would also be closely monitoring the situation within J&K and re-strategising based upon some assumptions. The start point is the projection by Pakistan that the Kashmiri population has not accepted the Indian government’s decisions. For that there is a need for the world to see that their is violence and mayhem on the streets. By itself that may be insufficient although Pakistan would be happy to see some casualties; in 2016 by contrast 40 or more people had lost their lives in four weeks of agitation; this time it’s just one. The agitation mode is subject to will and stamina and needs much effort at mobilisation. The communication lock down has effectively denied a toehold in this sphere. A series of supplementary violent acts by terrorists against the Army and Police organisations sustains longer than agitation. Hence the need for increasing the strength of terrorists. Local recruitment under current and foreseeable future circumstances will be difficult especially under high levels of army and police deployment and surveillance. Gulmarg and its vicinity has been devoid of infiltration for sometime. Suddenly a surge of activity is taking place there. The Haji Pir bulge is a suitable launch pad and the routes lead directly into South Kashmir where the fulcrum of the current resistance exists. It is also likely that Pakistan will use other less frequented routes and cater for high level levels of attrition that could result from encounters with the Indian Army; this has long been JuD chief Hafiz Sayeed’s strategy. It’s a situation very akin to 1991-92 when foreign terrorists were first used in Kashmir to boost militancy. Apprehension that a big terror attack in Southern or Central India is in the offing could prove right too. With the Islamic State (IS) terror attacks in Sri Lanka on April 2019 the scope for execution and denial by Pakistan has increased manifold. Tactical alliance between terror groups for temporary mutual gain is also not unknown; the ISI garnering services of the IS thus remains plausible. Pakistan’s international focus will remain the projection of the idea of ‘false flag’ in relation to a high profile terror attack, mostly involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) anywhere in Kashmir’s hinterland or in rest of India. India has worked insufficiently on this till date and its diplomatic campaigns must include nailing the Pakistani lie on false flag. The adoption of offensive information and psychological warfare awaits the lifting of the communication lockdown of Kashmir. Mobile internet facility being denied in Kashmir has been frowned upon by Indian intelligentsia and international clamour to restore this ‘human right’ has been increasing. Pakistan’s propaganda machinery awaits the full lifting of the lockdown to flood the networks of social media with enough seditious literature and messages. While Indian counters to this have been developing these are yet insufficient; this is where the focus of Delhi’s efforts must lie forthrightly and boldly citing national security and adopting a balanced attitude towards human rights. This is the other issue on which the UNHRC will not remain the last bastion of Pakistan’s focus of painting Indian human rights record in different colours. We should remain alert to continuing our efforts to counter Pakistan’s propaganda in international think tanks and the high profile media where Pakistani traction continues to remain high. Pakistan will find that the partial and progressive success of Indian agencies in taking control of financial networks will largely block its ability to mobilise support and run terror activities. It’s strategy is once again likely to shift towards fake currency and funding from within India. This is where other borders such as along Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab are likely to be activated for induction of fake currency. Lastly, the diplomatic support to India and relatively cool attitude towards Pakistan on the part of GCC countries is likely to peeve Pakistan no end leading to renewed efforts by it to cultivate negative opinion on India in these important nations. The media in these countries is important too and it’s opinion makes international opinion in the Islamic world. India’s engagement with the GCC media too is warranted even as all eyes now await 27 September the day the UN General Assembly. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

J&K: Pakistan's next steps

On August 5, by revoking the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) by Article 370, India scored a major victory against cross-border terrorism as well as separatism in the Valley. Hailed by many as a constitutional coup, the move paves the way to for the full integration of J&amp;K into the Union of India. This should have happened way back in 1947, after the signing of the instrument of accession on October 26. However, better late than never. Even if turning the former state into two union territories is unprecedented in the history of independent India, national interest as well as the good of the people of the region, is paramount.

Ladakh, which is also a separate Union Territory, will now have a much better chance to protect its unique religious and cultural heritage. The fragile Himalayan ecology of one of India’s most beautiful, rugged, and inaccessible parts must be preserved by regulating the pace and quantum of both development and access to the region. What is more the overt and covert Islamisation of the largely Buddhist area will also be checked. In a few more decades, the entire state, not just the Valley, faced the very real danger of not just being alienated, but lost to India, both culturally and politically. That most Indians understood this instinctively and emotionally even if not intellectually or rationally, is evident in the overwhelming public support for the government surgical strike on Article 370.

But what we might have perhaps failed fully to grasp is that though the constitutional battle has been won, the war over Kashmir is still being waged, but on other fronts. We have very carefully to monitor as well as manage the global narrative on Kashmir. This has been stacked, by and large, against India in the past. Both in the media and only marginally less so in international multilateral or bilateral fora, the United Nations (UN) being the key example of the former, as the United States is of the latter. Luckily, Pakistan has not made much headway in either so far. After getting US President Trump to offer to mediate, Pakistan’s Imran Khan had to eat humble pie after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got Trump to retract. While US meddling, given their own troubles in Afghanistan, cannot be ruled out, India has managed to make its position loud and clear.

As to the UN, it has several platforms where Pakistan is likely to mount its Kashmir offensive. The latest skirmish, at the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), is only one instance. India came out on top. On Tuesday, Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, denounced Pakistan’s “state sponsored terrorism” and underscored India’s right to revoke J&amp;K’s special status. Highlighting Pakistan’s shoddy and shameful human rights record, she sarcastically questioned our neighbour right to point fingers at us when “trampling upon them [human rights] at will in their own country.” She accused Pakistan’s of pushing a “malicious political agenda under the garb of human rights.”

Projecting India as a law-abiding, sovereign power, Singh said, “These decisions were taken by our Parliament after a full debate that was televised and enjoyed widespread support. We wish to reiterate that this sovereign decision, like other legislations passed by Parliament, is entirely internal to India. No country can accept interference in its internal affairs, certainly not India.” On Wednesday, first secretary to India’s permanent mission at the UNHRC, Geneva, Vimarsh Aryan, followed up by exposing “Pakistan’s hysterical statements with false, fabricated narratives aimed to politicise and polarize this forum.” Himself from J&amp;K, Aryan excoriated Pakistan for being “the epicentre of global terrorism,” encouraging violence by calling for jihad in J&amp;K and elsewhere.&nbsp;

In addition to trying to foment trouble in the Valley and mounting international pressure on India, Pakistan will also encourage its friends and proxies in foreign media houses to push its case. The leading newspapers and TV channels, not to mention national broadcasters, have often fallen for its victimhood narratives. In India, too, the last vestiges of Lutyens Delhi will also scream day in and day out that things are not normal in Kashmir. But when were they normal, we might ask them. Normalcy is only now returning to the region with the anomalous 370 and 35A being altered. Both India and the world need to accept the new normal in Kashmir. For this the narrative and diplomatic war must supplement the battle-ready formations on the border and the internal law and order machinery in the new Union Territory. Coming back to the UNHRC, let’s be fully prepared for Imran Khan’s tirade on 27th September. &nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-kashmir-the-new-battlefront-2789583">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

On August 5, by revoking the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) by Article 370, India scored a major victory against cross-border terrorism as well as separatism in the Valley.

On August 5, by revoking the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) by Article 370, India scored a major victory against cross-border terrorism as well as separatism in the Valley. Hailed by many as a constitutional coup, the move paves the way to for the full integration of J&K into the Union of India. This should have happened way back in 1947, after the signing of the instrument of accession on October 26. However, better late than never. Even if turning the former state into two union territories is unprecedented in the history of independent India, national interest as well as the good of the people of the region, is paramount. Ladakh, which is also a separate Union Territory, will now have a much better chance to protect its unique religious and cultural heritage. The fragile Himalayan ecology of one of India’s most beautiful, rugged, and inaccessible parts must be preserved by regulating the pace and quantum of both development and access to the region. What is more the overt and covert Islamisation of the largely Buddhist area will also be checked. In a few more decades, the entire state, not just the Valley, faced the very real danger of not just being alienated, but lost to India, both culturally and politically. That most Indians understood this instinctively and emotionally even if not intellectually or rationally, is evident in the overwhelming public support for the government surgical strike on Article 370. But what we might have perhaps failed fully to grasp is that though the constitutional battle has been won, the war over Kashmir is still being waged, but on other fronts. We have very carefully to monitor as well as manage the global narrative on Kashmir. This has been stacked, by and large, against India in the past. Both in the media and only marginally less so in international multilateral or bilateral fora, the United Nations (UN) being the key example of the former, as the United States is of the latter. Luckily, Pakistan has not made much headway in either so far. After getting US President Trump to offer to mediate, Pakistan’s Imran Khan had to eat humble pie after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got Trump to retract. While US meddling, given their own troubles in Afghanistan, cannot be ruled out, India has managed to make its position loud and clear. As to the UN, it has several platforms where Pakistan is likely to mount its Kashmir offensive. The latest skirmish, at the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), is only one instance. India came out on top. On Tuesday, Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, denounced Pakistan’s “state sponsored terrorism” and underscored India’s right to revoke J&K’s special status. Highlighting Pakistan’s shoddy and shameful human rights record, she sarcastically questioned our neighbour right to point fingers at us when “trampling upon them [human rights] at will in their own country.” She accused Pakistan’s of pushing a “malicious political agenda under the garb of human rights.” Projecting India as a law-abiding, sovereign power, Singh said, “These decisions were taken by our Parliament after a full debate that was televised and enjoyed widespread support. We wish to reiterate that this sovereign decision, like other legislations passed by Parliament, is entirely internal to India. No country can accept interference in its internal affairs, certainly not India.” On Wednesday, first secretary to India’s permanent mission at the UNHRC, Geneva, Vimarsh Aryan, followed up by exposing “Pakistan’s hysterical statements with false, fabricated narratives aimed to politicise and polarize this forum.” Himself from J&K, Aryan excoriated Pakistan for being “the epicentre of global terrorism,” encouraging violence by calling for jihad in J&K and elsewhere. In addition to trying to foment trouble in the Valley and mounting international pressure on India, Pakistan will also encourage its friends and proxies in foreign media houses to push its case. The leading newspapers and TV channels, not to mention national broadcasters, have often fallen for its victimhood narratives. In India, too, the last vestiges of Lutyens Delhi will also scream day in and day out that things are not normal in Kashmir. But when were they normal, we might ask them. Normalcy is only now returning to the region with the anomalous 370 and 35A being altered. Both India and the world need to accept the new normal in Kashmir. For this the narrative and diplomatic war must supplement the battle-ready formations on the border and the internal law and order machinery in the new Union Territory. Coming back to the UNHRC, let’s be fully prepared for Imran Khan’s tirade on 27th September. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Kashmir: The New Battlefront

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-outcry-over-kashmir-height-of-hypocrisy-shamelessness-says-baloch-activist-242681">Baloch activist</a> on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country.

President of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-hold-anti-pakistan-protest-in-germany-raise-pro-freedom-slogans-245834">Baloch Republican Party</a>, Brahumdagh Bugti, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, said that the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been using enforced disappearances, torture and killing as tools to crush the voices of oppressed people like Balochs, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, Sindhis and other religious minorities.

"Pakistan Army thinks that they are the heir and owner of the country. The fate of people is in their hands. Whenever people demand their rights and whenever they raise their voice against the atrocities committed by the Army, they are abducted, tortured and killed. They think that by torturing people, they can crush their voices and their demand for rights," said Bugti.

"The country is socially, economically and financially is on the verge of destruction and you (the leadership) are running after Kashmir. What is left here (in Pakistan) that you will bring other people also? Our country is on the verge of destruction and no neighbour countries are happy with Pakistan," he added.

Bugti, who now and then has highlighted the crime committed by the state agencies in Pakistan, said that the current condition of the country is a result of the policies adopted by the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

"The destruction in the country is due to the policies adopted by the Army and ISI. They claim their policies are so good and they have very good intelligence agency. They have received failure everywhere," he added.

Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has sub

Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir.

Watch Video:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuid52kto4rmHNGN" /><meta charset="utf-8" />Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-rebuts-pakistans-charges-on-kashmir-at-unhrc-248916/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

At the UNHRC session, Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370.

However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation.

Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-republican-party-protests-outside-lords-against-human-rights-condition-in-pakistan-229834">Baloch</a>&nbsp;Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan'&nbsp;at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters.

Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a Baloch activist on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country.

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a Baloch activist on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country. President of Baloch Republican Party, Brahumdagh Bugti, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, said that the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been using enforced disappearances, torture and killing as tools to crush the voices of oppressed people like Balochs, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, Sindhis and other religious minorities. "Pakistan Army thinks that they are the heir and owner of the country. The fate of people is in their hands. Whenever people demand their rights and whenever they raise their voice against the atrocities committed by the Army, they are abducted, tortured and killed. They think that by torturing people, they can crush their voices and their demand for rights," said Bugti. "The country is socially, economically and financially is on the verge of destruction and you (the leadership) are running after Kashmir. What is left here (in Pakistan) that you will bring other people also? Our country is on the verge of destruction and no neighbour countries are happy with Pakistan," he added. Bugti, who now and then has highlighted the crime committed by the state agencies in Pakistan, said that the current condition of the country is a result of the policies adopted by the Pakistani Army and the ISI. "The destruction in the country is due to the policies adopted by the Army and ISI. They claim their policies are so good and they have very good intelligence agency. They have received failure everywhere," he added. Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has sub Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir. Watch Video: Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC × At the UNHRC session, Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370. However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation. Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan. On Tuesday, the Baloch Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan' at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters. Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Baloch activist hits out at Pakistan for 'running' after Kashmir, highlights its atrocities against minorities

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-fate-hangs-in-balance-amid-crucial-fatf-review-meet-in-bangkok-today-248745">Pakistan</a> has spent billions of rupees on proscribed terror outfit Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), admitted the country's interior minister on national television.

Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmed Shah said that the Imran Khan government has spent billions of Rupees on the terror outfit to attach them to the mainstream.

Speaking to journalist Nadeem Malik, during a talk show aired on a Pakistani private news channel Hum News, the minister said, "We have spent millions of rupees on JuD. We need to demotivate the members of the proscribed organisation and bring them down to the mainstream."

Earlier, during his maiden visit to the United States in July, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a similar revelation that his country still has about 30,000 to 40,000 militants "who have been trained and fought in some part of Afghanistan or Kashmir."

Khan had also said that before his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government came into power, the governments did not have the "political will" to disarm militant groups operating on their soil. During a separate event, the Pakistani Prime Minister also said that they had 40 different militant groups operating within its borders.

Minister Shah's comments seem to be a face-saving measure ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Paris-based <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-lobbies-for-support-ahead-of-fatf-plenary-action-248089">Financial Action Task Force</a>&nbsp;(FATF) in October.

The watchdog is expected to submit its final evaluation report on Islamabad's action plan to curb terror financing next month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-efforts-to-act-against-terror-groups-money-laundering-questioned-at-asia-pacific-group-meet-in-china-219422">Last month</a>, the FATF's regional affiliate Asia-Pacific Group (APG) had put Pakistan in the enhanced expedited follow-up list, a category reserved for countries having major deficiencies in their anti-money-laundering and counter-financing of terrorism framework and implementation.

In another major embarrassing admission during the talk show, the minister also stated that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on the Kashmir issue.

Shah, in his remarks, blamed Pakistan "ruling elite" including Khan for "destroying" the image of the country, a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during the 42nd UNHRC session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there.

Pakistan has spent billions of rupees on proscribed terror outfit Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), admitted the country's interior minister on national television. Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmed Shah said that the Imran Khan government has spent billions of Rupees on the terror outfit to attach them to the mainstream.

Pakistan has spent billions of rupees on proscribed terror outfit Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), admitted the country's interior minister on national television. Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmed Shah said that the Imran Khan government has spent billions of Rupees on the terror outfit to attach them to the mainstream. Speaking to journalist Nadeem Malik, during a talk show aired on a Pakistani private news channel Hum News, the minister said, "We have spent millions of rupees on JuD. We need to demotivate the members of the proscribed organisation and bring them down to the mainstream." Earlier, during his maiden visit to the United States in July, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a similar revelation that his country still has about 30,000 to 40,000 militants "who have been trained and fought in some part of Afghanistan or Kashmir." Khan had also said that before his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government came into power, the governments did not have the "political will" to disarm militant groups operating on their soil. During a separate event, the Pakistani Prime Minister also said that they had 40 different militant groups operating within its borders. Minister Shah's comments seem to be a face-saving measure ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in October. The watchdog is expected to submit its final evaluation report on Islamabad's action plan to curb terror financing next month. Last month, the FATF's regional affiliate Asia-Pacific Group (APG) had put Pakistan in the enhanced expedited follow-up list, a category reserved for countries having major deficiencies in their anti-money-laundering and counter-financing of terrorism framework and implementation. In another major embarrassing admission during the talk show, the minister also stated that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on the Kashmir issue. Shah, in his remarks, blamed Pakistan "ruling elite" including Khan for "destroying" the image of the country, a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during the 42nd UNHRC session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there.

Pakistan has spent billions of rupees on JuD, admits its minister

Calling Pakistan a "breeding ground" for terrorism, Secretary-General of Baloch Human Rights Council, Samad Baloch, on Wednesday said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-approaches-international-community-over-kashmir-but-commits-genocide-in-balochistan-baloch-leader-248933">Pakistan is committing "systematic genocide"</a> of the minorities.

He also termed Islamabad a "rogue state" with no law and justice.

"We have suffered a lot. Our socio-cultural, economic rights have been denied. Balochistan has been plundered, they have looted our resources. Balochistan is rich in minerals and natural resources, yet the people suffer," Baloch told ANI.

"Pakistan is a breeding ground for terrorism. Pakistan is not only committing systematic genocide of Baloch people but also involved in the genocide of our Sindhi brothers, Pashtuns. It's also a threat to the world because it is a rogue state, there is no law, no justice," he added.

Along with Samad, many other activists have also called out Islamabad for committing Human Rights violations against the religious minorities.

This comes at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir.

At the UNHRC session, Foreign Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-altering-status-of-kashmir-is-illegal-says-pakistan-foreign-minister-in-unhrc-248833"> Shah Mahmood Qureshi</a> presented a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-pakistan-rakes-up-kashmir-issue-at-unhrc-india-hits-back-248819">false narrative on Kashmir</a> maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370. However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation.

Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, the Baloch Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan' at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters.

Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their countries.

Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region.

Last month, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada had raised the issue of suppression of religious freedom by China and Pakistan and slammed the two Asian nations for "persecuting and repressing" their religious minorities.

During the meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, the US, UK, and Canada expressed concerns over the increasing, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in the two countries. They also highlighted the discrimination suffered by the Uyghur community in China and of Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan.

Calling Pakistan a "breeding ground" for terrorism, Secretary-General of Baloch Human Rights Council, Samad Baloch, on Wednesday said Pakistan is committing "systematic genocide" of the minorities.

Calling Pakistan a "breeding ground" for terrorism, Secretary-General of Baloch Human Rights Council, Samad Baloch, on Wednesday said Pakistan is committing "systematic genocide" of the minorities. He also termed Islamabad a "rogue state" with no law and justice. "We have suffered a lot. Our socio-cultural, economic rights have been denied. Balochistan has been plundered, they have looted our resources. Balochistan is rich in minerals and natural resources, yet the people suffer," Baloch told ANI. "Pakistan is a breeding ground for terrorism. Pakistan is not only committing systematic genocide of Baloch people but also involved in the genocide of our Sindhi brothers, Pashtuns. It's also a threat to the world because it is a rogue state, there is no law, no justice," he added. Along with Samad, many other activists have also called out Islamabad for committing Human Rights violations against the religious minorities. This comes at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir. At the UNHRC session, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370. However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation. Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan. On Tuesday, the Baloch Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan' at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters. Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their countries. Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region. Last month, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada had raised the issue of suppression of religious freedom by China and Pakistan and slammed the two Asian nations for "persecuting and repressing" their religious minorities. During the meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, the US, UK, and Canada expressed concerns over the increasing, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in the two countries. They also highlighted the discrimination suffered by the Uyghur community in China and of Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan.

Pakistan is committing 'systematic genocide' of minorities: Baloch HRC Secretary

Pakistan Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue.

Shah blamed Pakistan's "ruling elite" including Khan for "destroying" the image of the country.

"People do not believe us in the international community. We say they (India) impose curfew and are not giving medicines to people of Jammu and Kashmir. People do not believe us but they believe them. The ruling elite has destroyed the country. The ruling elite of this country destroyed the name. People thought we are not a serious nation," he said, during a talk show on Pakistani news channel Hum News on Wednesday.

When asked whether Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, and others were a part of the ruling elite, the former spy chief said: "Everyone is responsible. Pakistan should now do a soul searching."

Ijaz's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during a UNHRC session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there.

India had rejected Qureshi's allegations and hit back saying a "fabricated narrative" on Jammu and Kashmir has come from "the epicentre of global terrorism" and from a nation, which conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy.

Islamabad has been left red-faced after its desperate attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue fell flat.

The country has found itself isolated after being snubbed at the United Nations, as well as by countries like the United States, France, and Russia. India's decision has been hailed internationally with several countries calling the move as India's internal matter even as Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the issue.

Islamabad has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue.

Pakistan has approached various world leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Jordanian King Abdullah II to seek their interventions into the issue, but in vain.

However, Pakistan has been told to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.&nbsp;

Pakistan Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue.

Pakistan Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue. Shah blamed Pakistan's "ruling elite" including Khan for "destroying" the image of the country. "People do not believe us in the international community. We say they (India) impose curfew and are not giving medicines to people of Jammu and Kashmir. People do not believe us but they believe them. The ruling elite has destroyed the country. The ruling elite of this country destroyed the name. People thought we are not a serious nation," he said, during a talk show on Pakistani news channel Hum News on Wednesday. When asked whether Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, and others were a part of the ruling elite, the former spy chief said: "Everyone is responsible. Pakistan should now do a soul searching." Ijaz's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during a UNHRC session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there. India had rejected Qureshi's allegations and hit back saying a "fabricated narrative" on Jammu and Kashmir has come from "the epicentre of global terrorism" and from a nation, which conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy. Islamabad has been left red-faced after its desperate attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue fell flat. The country has found itself isolated after being snubbed at the United Nations, as well as by countries like the United States, France, and Russia. India's decision has been hailed internationally with several countries calling the move as India's internal matter even as Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the issue. Islamabad has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue. Pakistan has approached various world leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Jordanian King Abdullah II to seek their interventions into the issue, but in vain. However, Pakistan has been told to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.

Pakistan fails to convince international community over Kashmir issue: Minister

Pakistan's Anti-India Rhetoric Finds No Takers AT UNHRC In Geneva

Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-hit-pause-to-mark-september-11-attacks-248978">Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;activists</a> called off protests on Wednesday in remembrance of the September&nbsp;11, 2001 attacks on the United States and denounced a Chinese state newspaper report that they were planning "massive terror" in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has been rocked by months of sometimes violent unrest, prompted by anger over planned legislation to allow extraditions to China, but broadening into calls for democracy and for Communist rulers in Beijing to leave the city alone.

"Anti-government fanatics are planning massive terror attacks, including blowing up gas pipes, in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on&nbsp;September&nbsp;11," the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;edition of the China Daily said on its Facebook page, alongside a picture of the hijacked airliner attacks on the twin towers in New York.

"The 9/11&nbsp;terror plot also encourages indiscriminate attacks on non-native speakers of Cantonese and starting mountain fires."

The post said, "leaked information was part of the strategy being schemed by radical&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;in their online chat rooms".

The former British colony of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent legal system, triggering the anger over the extradition bill.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader Carrie Lam has said she will withdraw the bill but many&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;residents fear Beijing is steadily eroding the autonomy of the Asian financial hub.

China denies meddling and has accused the United States, Britain and others of fomenting the unrest.

"We don’t even need to do a fact check to know that this is fake news," said one protester, Michael, 24, referring to the China Daily post.

"The state media doesn’t care about its credibility.

Whenever something they claimed to have heard on WhatsApp or friends’ friends, they will spread it right away."

The&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;called off action on Wednesday.

"In solidarity against terrorism, all forms of protest in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;will be suspended on September 11, apart from potential singing and chanting," they said in a statement.

The China Daily report was worrying, said another protester, Karen, 23. "When they try to frame the whole protest with those words, it alarms me," she said.

"They are predicting rather than reporting. I think people calling it off today is a nice move."

&nbsp;

FAMILY FRICTIONS

The chairwoman of the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Federation of Women, Pansy Ho, a prominent businesswoman and daughter of Macau casino operator Stanley Ho, said she was worried about violent extremism.

"Children of all ages are indoctrinated with police hatred and anti-establishment beliefs at school and online mobilised to conduct massive school strikes," she told the UN&nbsp;Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Lam said in a speech on Wednesday that&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;was grappling with significant challenges.

"My fervent hope is that we can bridge our divide by upholding the one country, two systems principle, and the Basic Law, and through the concerted efforts of the government and the people of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong," she told business leaders.

The Basic Law is&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's mini-constitution.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;airline Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd has become the biggest corporate casualty of the unrest after China demanded it suspend staff involved in, or who support, the protests.

Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday inbound traffic to&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in August fell 38 per cent&nbsp;and outbound traffic 12 per cent&nbsp;compared with a year earlier, and that it did not anticipate&nbsp;September&nbsp;to be any less difficult.

Joshua Wong, one of the prominent leaders of the 2014 "Umbrella" pro-democracy movement which brought key streets in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;to a standstill for 79 days, said in Berlin that the fight for democracy was an uphill battle.

"I hope one day not only&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;people, but also people in mainland China, can enjoy freedom and democracy," he said.

The protests spread to the sports field on Tuesday, as many football fans defied Chinese law to boo the national anthem ahead of a soccer World Cup qualifier against Iran.

Several peaceful protests are planned for the next few days, combining with celebrations marking the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hong Kong activists called off protests on Wednesday in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and denounced a Chinese state newspaper report that they were planning "massive terror" in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hong Kong activists called off protests on Wednesday in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and denounced a Chinese state newspaper report that they were planning "massive terror" in the Chinese-ruled city. Hong Kong has been rocked by months of sometimes violent unrest, prompted by anger over planned legislation to allow extraditions to China, but broadening into calls for democracy and for Communist rulers in Beijing to leave the city alone. "Anti-government fanatics are planning massive terror attacks, including blowing up gas pipes, in Hong Kong on September 11," the Hong Kong edition of the China Daily said on its Facebook page, alongside a picture of the hijacked airliner attacks on the twin towers in New York. "The 9/11 terror plot also encourages indiscriminate attacks on non-native speakers of Cantonese and starting mountain fires." The post said, "leaked information was part of the strategy being schemed by radical protesters in their online chat rooms". The former British colony of Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent legal system, triggering the anger over the extradition bill. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said she will withdraw the bill but many Hong Kong residents fear Beijing is steadily eroding the autonomy of the Asian financial hub. China denies meddling and has accused the United States, Britain and others of fomenting the unrest. "We don’t even need to do a fact check to know that this is fake news," said one protester, Michael, 24, referring to the China Daily post. "The state media doesn’t care about its credibility. Whenever something they claimed to have heard on WhatsApp or friends’ friends, they will spread it right away." The protesters called off action on Wednesday. "In solidarity against terrorism, all forms of protest in Hong Kong will be suspended on September 11, apart from potential singing and chanting," they said in a statement. The China Daily report was worrying, said another protester, Karen, 23. "When they try to frame the whole protest with those words, it alarms me," she said. "They are predicting rather than reporting. I think people calling it off today is a nice move." FAMILY FRICTIONS The chairwoman of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, Pansy Ho, a prominent businesswoman and daughter of Macau casino operator Stanley Ho, said she was worried about violent extremism. "Children of all ages are indoctrinated with police hatred and anti-establishment beliefs at school and online mobilised to conduct massive school strikes," she told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Lam said in a speech on Wednesday that Hong Kong was grappling with significant challenges. "My fervent hope is that we can bridge our divide by upholding the one country, two systems principle, and the Basic Law, and through the concerted efforts of the government and the people of Hong Kong," she told business leaders. The Basic Law is Hong Kong's mini-constitution. Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd has become the biggest corporate casualty of the unrest after China demanded it suspend staff involved in, or who support, the protests. Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday inbound traffic to Hong Kong in August fell 38 per cent and outbound traffic 12 per cent compared with a year earlier, and that it did not anticipate September to be any less difficult. Joshua Wong, one of the prominent leaders of the 2014 "Umbrella" pro-democracy movement which brought key streets in Hong Kong to a standstill for 79 days, said in Berlin that the fight for democracy was an uphill battle. "I hope one day not only Hong Kong people, but also people in mainland China, can enjoy freedom and democracy," he said. The protests spread to the sports field on Tuesday, as many football fans defied Chinese law to boo the national anthem ahead of a soccer World Cup qualifier against Iran. Several peaceful protests are planned for the next few days, combining with celebrations marking the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hong Kong protesters hit pause in memory of September 11

From terrorism to Forced conversions, India counters Pakistan at UNHRC. Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Siddhant Sibbal brings you the latest updates.

Today Tonight: India counters Pakistan at UNHRC

Islamabad is all set to raise the Jammu and Kashmir issue when both India and Pakistan speak at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday. The two nuclear-armed neighbours will be speaking as part of the 42nd session of the UNHRC, which is underway in Geneva.

Pakistan to rake up J&K issue in UNHRC

India hit out at Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in its right of reply at the United Nations Human Rights Council as it raised the plight of minorities in the neighbouring country.

First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to UN Vimarsh Aryan said Pakistani," rhetoric will not distract international attention from Pakistan’s persecution and elimination of religious and ethnic minorities – be it the Christians, Sikhs, Shias, Ahmadiyas and Hindus."

India gave examples of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was incarcerated for years under blasphemy laws and Abdul Shakoor a the 82-year-old Ahmadiya, who was charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act for selling books. New Delhi also gave the example of minor Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur who was abducted and converted just a few weeks back in Pakistan's Punjab province.

India's diplomat slammed Islamabad for raking Kashmir at the Geneva-based institution.

Indian diplomat Vimarsh Aryan said, "We're not surprised at Pakistan's hysterical statements with false narratives aimed to politicise and polarise this forum. Pakistan realises that our decision cuts away ground from under its feet by creating obstacles in its continuing sponsorship of cross-border terrorism."

New Delhi highlighted how "some Pakistan leaders have even gone as far as to call for ‘Jihad’ and to encourage violence both inside Jammu and Kashmir and in third countries, in order to paint a picture of ‘genocide’ which even they know is far from reality"

Calling Pakistan, "epicentre of global terrorism", Aryan said, Pakistan "forgets that terrorism is the worst form of human rights abuse."

It's interesting to know India sent a diplomat from who hails from Jammu and Kashmir to respond to Pakistan FM.

Earlier in the day Pakistani FM Qureshi had spoken from UNHRC and spoken about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the removal of special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

India hit out at Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in its right of reply at the United Nations Human Rights Council as it raised the plight of minorities in the neighbouring country.

India hit out at Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in its right of reply at the United Nations Human Rights Council as it raised the plight of minorities in the neighbouring country. First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to UN Vimarsh Aryan said Pakistani," rhetoric will not distract international attention from Pakistan’s persecution and elimination of religious and ethnic minorities – be it the Christians, Sikhs, Shias, Ahmadiyas and Hindus." India gave examples of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was incarcerated for years under blasphemy laws and Abdul Shakoor a the 82-year-old Ahmadiya, who was charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act for selling books. New Delhi also gave the example of minor Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur who was abducted and converted just a few weeks back in Pakistan's Punjab province. India's diplomat slammed Islamabad for raking Kashmir at the Geneva-based institution. Indian diplomat Vimarsh Aryan said, "We're not surprised at Pakistan's hysterical statements with false narratives aimed to politicise and polarise this forum. Pakistan realises that our decision cuts away ground from under its feet by creating obstacles in its continuing sponsorship of cross-border terrorism." New Delhi highlighted how "some Pakistan leaders have even gone as far as to call for ‘Jihad’ and to encourage violence both inside Jammu and Kashmir and in third countries, in order to paint a picture of ‘genocide’ which even they know is far from reality" Calling Pakistan, "epicentre of global terrorism", Aryan said, Pakistan "forgets that terrorism is the worst form of human rights abuse." It's interesting to know India sent a diplomat from who hails from Jammu and Kashmir to respond to Pakistan FM. Earlier in the day Pakistani FM Qureshi had spoken from UNHRC and spoken about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the removal of special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

Asia Bibi, Jagjit Kaur's names echo at UNHRC chamber as India hits out at Pakistan in its right of reply

India to highlight Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir

India rebuts Pakistan on Kashmir at UNHRC

India on Tuesday strongly countered Pakistan's offensive on Jammu and Kashmir in United Nations Human Rights Council meet and asserted that while Islamabad 'cry victim' in reality, the western neighbour is 'perpetrators' of human rights abuses.

Launching a scathing counter-attack at Pakistan at UNHRC in Geneva, Secretary (East) MEA, Vijay Thakur Singh said that Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism, and propagating a false narrative on Kashmir.

"The world is aware that this false narrative comes from the epicentre of terrorism,"&nbsp;Singh said in a statement on India's behalf at UNHRC.&nbsp;

Hitting out at Pakistan she also said that a delegation has given a running commentary with offensive rhetoric of false allegations and concocted charges against my country. The world is aware that this narrative comes from the epicentre of global terrorism, where terrorism leaders were sheltered for years.

In her statement at the UNHRC, Vijay Thakur Singh further said that no country can accept interference in its internal matter, certainly not India.

Speaking at the UNHRC headquarters in Geneva, MEA secretary east said, "The decision (to revoke Article 370) was taken by our Parliament. These were sovereign decisions which is entirely India’s internal matter. Basic services are being eased gradually (in Kashmir). My government is taking affirmative action by adopting progressive policies to promote socio-economic equality and justice".

"India has suffered due to state-sponsored terrorism. This country (Pak) engages in terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy", she added.

Highlighting the Indian government's Progressive policies and development works in Kashmir she said that our Government is taking affirmative action by adopting progressive policies to promote socio-economic equality and justice. No country can accept interference in its internal matter, certainly not India.

India on Tuesday strongly countered Pakistan's offensive on Jammu and Kashmir in United Nations Human Rights Council meet and asserted that while Islamabad 'cry victim' in reality, the western neighbour is 'perpetrators' of human rights abuses.

India on Tuesday strongly countered Pakistan's offensive on Jammu and Kashmir in United Nations Human Rights Council meet and asserted that while Islamabad 'cry victim' in reality, the western neighbour is 'perpetrators' of human rights abuses. Launching a scathing counter-attack at Pakistan at UNHRC in Geneva, Secretary (East) MEA, Vijay Thakur Singh said that Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism, and propagating a false narrative on Kashmir. "The world is aware that this false narrative comes from the epicentre of terrorism," Singh said in a statement on India's behalf at UNHRC. Hitting out at Pakistan she also said that a delegation has given a running commentary with offensive rhetoric of false allegations and concocted charges against my country. The world is aware that this narrative comes from the epicentre of global terrorism, where terrorism leaders were sheltered for years. In her statement at the UNHRC, Vijay Thakur Singh further said that no country can accept interference in its internal matter, certainly not India. Speaking at the UNHRC headquarters in Geneva, MEA secretary east said, "The decision (to revoke Article 370) was taken by our Parliament. These were sovereign decisions which is entirely India’s internal matter. Basic services are being eased gradually (in Kashmir). My government is taking affirmative action by adopting progressive policies to promote socio-economic equality and justice". "India has suffered due to state-sponsored terrorism. This country (Pak) engages in terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy", she added. Highlighting the Indian government's Progressive policies and development works in Kashmir she said that our Government is taking affirmative action by adopting progressive policies to promote socio-economic equality and justice. No country can accept interference in its internal matter, certainly not India.

Pakistan 'epicentre of terrorism', propagating false narrative on Kashmir, says India at UNHRC

India has maintained that J&K is an internal matter. India has sent Ajay Bisaria to reiterate it's stance. Russia, France, UK, U.S., UAE, and Sri Lanka has backed India on J&K. Now shortly India will address at UNHRC and put it's stance on J&K at world stage.

India vs Pak at UNHRC: Countdown to India's UNHRC address

In another effort to internationalise the strictly internal Indian matter of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has ramped up its rhetoric against New Delhi at UNHRC in Geneva.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Kashmir is not a country-specific situation and India altering status of Kashmir is illegal.

Qureshi also said that all political leaders of the region are under arrest. 
&nbsp; 
Giving a communal angle to India's move of revoking Article 370 in J&amp;K &nbsp;Qureshi said that India plans to reduce Jammu &amp; Kashmir's Muslim majority into a minority.

On August 5 India made constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir and the entire structure of Pakistan's nationalism built around Kashmir over the past seven decades came crashing down.&nbsp;

Ever since Islamabad has been scampering around to find a narrative that could resonate both domestically and internationally.

India is set to take on Pakistan at the council with a high powered delegation led by Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh and Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria.

The Indian government has consistently maintained that abrogation of Article 370 is an internal matter, however, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken up the matter with several world leaders, but hasn't received any support.

In another effort to internationalise the strictly internal Indian matter of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has ramped up its rhetoric against New Delhi at UNHRC in Geneva.

In another effort to internationalise the strictly internal Indian matter of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has ramped up its rhetoric against New Delhi at UNHRC in Geneva. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Kashmir is not a country-specific situation and India altering status of Kashmir is illegal. Qureshi also said that all political leaders of the region are under arrest. Giving a communal angle to India's move of revoking Article 370 in J&K Qureshi said that India plans to reduce Jammu & Kashmir's Muslim majority into a minority. On August 5 India made constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir and the entire structure of Pakistan's nationalism built around Kashmir over the past seven decades came crashing down. Ever since Islamabad has been scampering around to find a narrative that could resonate both domestically and internationally. India is set to take on Pakistan at the council with a high powered delegation led by Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh and Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria. The Indian government has consistently maintained that abrogation of Article 370 is an internal matter, however, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken up the matter with several world leaders, but hasn't received any support.

India altering status of Kashmir is illegal, says Pakistan Foreign Minister in UNHRC

United Nation's Human Rights Council is bracing for an India-Pakistan clash as Islamabad gets ready to rant about Kashmir at the forum. The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council will take place between September 9 and September 27.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be present in Geneva and plans to whine about Kashmir. He is scheduled to speak at 3.30 pm (IST) on Tuesday. Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria will also be in Switzerland for the meeting.

The development comes weeks after India was able to thwart a joint China-Pakistan initiative to rake up Kashmir at the United Nation Security Council. Islamabad wanted an emergency session on Kashmir at the UNSC and for this a consultative meet was organised on August 16.

It happened at the request of China who took up the letter of Pakistani foreign minister in the aftermath of New Delhi's decision to revoke Article 370 for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir - a completely domestic matter of India.

India's permanent envoy to United Nation Syed Akbaruddin, after the meet, had said, "Article 370 is internal matter.. these have no external ramifications."

On talks with Pakistan, Syed had said, "Using terror to push goals is not the way normal states behave. Stop terror to start talks."

Russia, France, the UK and the US had backed India at the consultations.

The outcome of the consultations on August 16 is being considered a big diplomatic victory for India as consultations did not lead to any formal meeting which Islamabad was keen to have.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of India's decision to remove the special status for Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has been trying to internationalise Kashmir by reaching out to global capitals. All efforts have failed.

United Nation's Human Rights Council is bracing for an India-Pakistan clash as Islamabad gets ready to rant about Kashmir at the forum. The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council will take place between September 9 and September 27.

United Nation's Human Rights Council is bracing for an India-Pakistan clash as Islamabad gets ready to rant about Kashmir at the forum. The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council will take place between September 9 and September 27. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be present in Geneva and plans to whine about Kashmir. He is scheduled to speak at 3.30 pm (IST) on Tuesday. Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria will also be in Switzerland for the meeting. The development comes weeks after India was able to thwart a joint China-Pakistan initiative to rake up Kashmir at the United Nation Security Council. Islamabad wanted an emergency session on Kashmir at the UNSC and for this a consultative meet was organised on August 16. It happened at the request of China who took up the letter of Pakistani foreign minister in the aftermath of New Delhi's decision to revoke Article 370 for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir - a completely domestic matter of India. India's permanent envoy to United Nation Syed Akbaruddin, after the meet, had said, "Article 370 is internal matter.. these have no external ramifications." On talks with Pakistan, Syed had said, "Using terror to push goals is not the way normal states behave. Stop terror to start talks." Russia, France, the UK and the US had backed India at the consultations. The outcome of the consultations on August 16 is being considered a big diplomatic victory for India as consultations did not lead to any formal meeting which Islamabad was keen to have. In the aftermath of India's decision to remove the special status for Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has been trying to internationalise Kashmir by reaching out to global capitals. All efforts have failed.

Article 370 abrogation: India-Pakistan to clash at UNHRC meet in Geneva

India and Pakistan will speak at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday with Islamabad all set to rake Kashmir issues at the international human rights forum. The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council is being held at its headquarters in Geneva from September 9 to 27. 
 
Islamabad is in full mood to use the forum to rant on Kashmir. Pak Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi himself is in Geneva and is accompanied by several high profile officials including the envoy of the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan - Tehmina Janjua - and Acting Permanent Representative‪ of Pakistan ‬to the United Nations. 
 
Qureshi is scheduled to speak at the council on Tuesday at 3.30 pm IST. Pakistan plans for a resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, though the country lacks support for its passage. 
 
India is led by a high powered delegation led by Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh and Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria. India has been engaging with several UN HRC members to thwart any Pakistani attempt to internationalise Kashmir. India has briefed several foreign envoys in Delhi and has also reached out to global capitals. 
 
On Monday, in her opening statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet slammed both India and Pakistan for the situation in Kashmir. 
 
"In relation to Kashmir, my Office continues to receive reports on the human rights situation on both sides of the line of control...I continue to urge the Governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that human rights are respected and protected," she said. 
 
She urged New Delhi to ease the current lockdowns or curfews in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure people's access to basic services. 
 
The Council is made of 47 Member States, which are elected by the majority of members of the General Assembly of the United Nations through a direct and secret ballot. 
 
The development comes weeks after India was able to thwart a joint China-Pak initiative to rake up Kashmir at the United Nation Security Council (UNSC). Islamabad wanted an emergency session on Kashmir at the UNSC and for this, a consultative meet was held on August 16. 
 
The meeting took place at the request of China which took up the letter of Pakistani foreign minister in the aftermath of New Delhi's decision to remove the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, granted under Article 370 of the Constitution. 
 
In the aftermath of India's decision, Pakistan has been trying to internationalise Kashmir by reaching out to global capitals but has not got any traction. 
 
New Delhi has reiterated on every platform that the government's move is an internal matter of India. 
 
Speaking after the UNSC consultative meet, India's permanent envoy to United Nations Syed Akbaruddin after had said, "Article 370 is internal matter.. these have no external ramifications." 
 
On talks with Pakistan, Syed said, "Using terror to push goals is not the way normal states behave... stop terror to start talks." 
 
The outcome of the August 16 meeting was considered a big diplomatic victory for India as consultations did not lead to any formal meeting which Islamabad was keen to have.&nbsp;

India and Pakistan will speak at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday with Islamabad all set to rake Kashmir issues at the international human rights forum.

India and Pakistan will speak at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday with Islamabad all set to rake Kashmir issues at the international human rights forum. The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council is being held at its headquarters in Geneva from September 9 to 27. Islamabad is in full mood to use the forum to rant on Kashmir. Pak Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi himself is in Geneva and is accompanied by several high profile officials including the envoy of the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan - Tehmina Janjua - and Acting Permanent Representative‪ of Pakistan ‬to the United Nations. Qureshi is scheduled to speak at the council on Tuesday at 3.30 pm IST. Pakistan plans for a resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, though the country lacks support for its passage. India is led by a high powered delegation led by Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh and Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria. India has been engaging with several UN HRC members to thwart any Pakistani attempt to internationalise Kashmir. India has briefed several foreign envoys in Delhi and has also reached out to global capitals. On Monday, in her opening statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet slammed both India and Pakistan for the situation in Kashmir. "In relation to Kashmir, my Office continues to receive reports on the human rights situation on both sides of the line of control...I continue to urge the Governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that human rights are respected and protected," she said. She urged New Delhi to ease the current lockdowns or curfews in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure people's access to basic services. The Council is made of 47 Member States, which are elected by the majority of members of the General Assembly of the United Nations through a direct and secret ballot. The development comes weeks after India was able to thwart a joint China-Pak initiative to rake up Kashmir at the United Nation Security Council (UNSC). Islamabad wanted an emergency session on Kashmir at the UNSC and for this, a consultative meet was held on August 16. The meeting took place at the request of China which took up the letter of Pakistani foreign minister in the aftermath of New Delhi's decision to remove the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, granted under Article 370 of the Constitution. In the aftermath of India's decision, Pakistan has been trying to internationalise Kashmir by reaching out to global capitals but has not got any traction. New Delhi has reiterated on every platform that the government's move is an internal matter of India. Speaking after the UNSC consultative meet, India's permanent envoy to United Nations Syed Akbaruddin after had said, "Article 370 is internal matter.. these have no external ramifications." On talks with Pakistan, Syed said, "Using terror to push goals is not the way normal states behave... stop terror to start talks." The outcome of the August 16 meeting was considered a big diplomatic victory for India as consultations did not lead to any formal meeting which Islamabad was keen to have.

Pakistan to take up Kashmir issue in UNHRC; India all set to resist Imran government's move

India must highlight how <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-abrogation-india-pakistan-clash-likely-at-unhrc-meet-in-geneva-248505">Article 370</a> was about special discrimination against the people of Jammu and Kashmir to win support at the 42nd session of United Nations Human Rights Convention (UNHRC) that is scheduled to begin today, said former UN diplomat Mukul Sanwal.

The former diplomat also said that Pakistan has been trying its best to internationalise the issue of Kashmir, especially after India's historic move of revoking Article 370 and Article 35 (A).

"I am sure that Pakistan will raise the Kashmir issue at the UNHRC meeting in Geneva. It has also sent its foreign minister there along with a delegation. They had also said that they will go to any extent on the issue," Sanwal told ANI.

"Now the question is when the UN Security Council had earlier said that there`s no role of international mediation for peace as it is an internal issue of India, then why is Pakistan now raising the issue of human rights violations there?" the former diplomat added.

Agreeing with the words of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Sanwal further stressed that the restrictions are temporary measures due to the rise of infiltrators in the Valley.

New Delhi had time and again reiterated that there was no development in the region prior to the abrogation of the special status, the diplomat stated.

"We need to adhere to our stand that 'human rights'&nbsp;is not only related to political or procedural rights but also social-economic rights (which were earlier not there)," he stressed."If there are no social-economic rights then the political rights will also become hollow. Only a few families had been ruling the Valley so far," Sanwal said.

"India has to prove this point in order to win support," he added.

Meanwhile, voicing similar sentiments over the issue, another diplomat Suresh Goel, told ANI, "This is nothing new. Pakistan has always tried to raise the Kashmir issue to the world community and attacked India over it."

"But the world has changed. People's perspectives have also undergone changes. The United Nations has a fair idea about India's record regarding human rights. They know the real situation in the Valley. They (world community) will be successful in quashing the fake claims made by Pakistan at the session," he added.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi left for Geneva to attend the UNHRC meeting with an aim to "fight for the cause of innocent Kashmiris", according to reports by Pakistan media.

&nbsp;

India must highlight how Article 370 was about special discrimination against the people of Jammu and Kashmir to win support at the 42nd session of United Nations Human Rights Convention (UNHRC) that is scheduled to begin today, said former UN diplomat Mukul Sanwal.

India must highlight how Article 370 was about special discrimination against the people of Jammu and Kashmir to win support at the 42nd session of United Nations Human Rights Convention (UNHRC) that is scheduled to begin today, said former UN diplomat Mukul Sanwal. The former diplomat also said that Pakistan has been trying its best to internationalise the issue of Kashmir, especially after India's historic move of revoking Article 370 and Article 35 (A). "I am sure that Pakistan will raise the Kashmir issue at the UNHRC meeting in Geneva. It has also sent its foreign minister there along with a delegation. They had also said that they will go to any extent on the issue," Sanwal told ANI. "Now the question is when the UN Security Council had earlier said that there`s no role of international mediation for peace as it is an internal issue of India, then why is Pakistan now raising the issue of human rights violations there?" the former diplomat added. Agreeing with the words of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Sanwal further stressed that the restrictions are temporary measures due to the rise of infiltrators in the Valley. New Delhi had time and again reiterated that there was no development in the region prior to the abrogation of the special status, the diplomat stated. "We need to adhere to our stand that 'human rights' is not only related to political or procedural rights but also social-economic rights (which were earlier not there)," he stressed."If there are no social-economic rights then the political rights will also become hollow. Only a few families had been ruling the Valley so far," Sanwal said. "India has to prove this point in order to win support," he added. Meanwhile, voicing similar sentiments over the issue, another diplomat Suresh Goel, told ANI, "This is nothing new. Pakistan has always tried to raise the Kashmir issue to the world community and attacked India over it." "But the world has changed. People's perspectives have also undergone changes. The United Nations has a fair idea about India's record regarding human rights. They know the real situation in the Valley. They (world community) will be successful in quashing the fake claims made by Pakistan at the session," he added. Earlier in the day, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi left for Geneva to attend the UNHRC meeting with an aim to "fight for the cause of innocent Kashmiris", according to reports by Pakistan media.

'To counter Pakistan at UNHRC, India must tell Article 370 was about special discrimination,' former UN diplomat

More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday.&nbsp;

In its annual global trends report, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) described the figure of 70.8 million at the end of 2018 as "conservative", particularly because the number of people who fled Venezuela's devastating crisis is undercounted.&nbsp;

At the end of 2017, by comparison, 68.5 million people were counted as being forcibly displaced by violence or persecution.

The UNHCR attributed the increase partly to surging displacement in Ethiopia caused by inter-ethnic conflict, and in Venezuela, where thousands are fleeing every day amid an economic collapse that has triggered shortages of basic food and medicine.

An estimated 3.3 million people have left Venezuela since the start of 2016, according to the UN.&nbsp;

UNHCR head Filippo Grandi told reporters in Geneva the figure of 70.8 million only includes Venezuelans who had officially applied for asylum -- roughly half a million people.

Overall, the number of displaced people in the world has doubled over the last 20 years and now exceeds the population of Thailand.&nbsp;

The trend, Grandi said, continues to go in "the wrong direction".

Conflicts 'Never' End

According to Amnesty International, a refugee is a person who flees their home country and cannot or will not return due to conflict or fear of persecution.

The report lists 41.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs), 25.9 million refugees, and 3.5 million asylum seekers -- those awaiting a decision on their bid for official refugee protection.

The countries with the most internally displaced people -- fleeing within their own countries -- are Syria, wracked by conflict since 2011 and Colombia, plagued by decades of violence, said the UNHCR.

The group of refugees, it added, included 5.5 million Palestinians scattered across several countries, notably Lebanon and Jordan.&nbsp;

The best solution for a refugee is to be able to return home once their country stabilises, but Grandi noted that 20 per cent have been in exile for more than two decades.&nbsp;

"We have become almost unable to make peace," the UNHCR chief said.&nbsp;

"It is true there are new conflicts, new situations producing refugees..., (but) the old ones never get resolved," he added. "When is the last conflict that you remember was resolved?"

&nbsp;'Praise' for Germany&nbsp;

The UNHCR has at times sought to push back against the phrase "migrant crisis", especially as it has been applied to an influx of people into Europe via the Mediterranean sea.

The agency has argued that while mass migration does pose serious challenges, it can be managed, particularly by wealthier nations.&nbsp;

Grandi praised Germany for its acceptance of migrants and its efforts to "demystify" the notion that migration is unmanageable, "even when the numbers are very big."

"I usually don't like to praise and criticise but I think in this case, I'd like to praise Germany for what it has done," said Grandi in Geneva, ahead of the report's launch in Berlin.&nbsp;

He noted that Chancellor Angela Merkel had paid a "heavy price" politically for her openness to migration, arguing this made her actions "even more courageous".

More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday.

More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday. In its annual global trends report, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) described the figure of 70.8 million at the end of 2018 as "conservative", particularly because the number of people who fled Venezuela's devastating crisis is undercounted. At the end of 2017, by comparison, 68.5 million people were counted as being forcibly displaced by violence or persecution. The UNHCR attributed the increase partly to surging displacement in Ethiopia caused by inter-ethnic conflict, and in Venezuela, where thousands are fleeing every day amid an economic collapse that has triggered shortages of basic food and medicine. An estimated 3.3 million people have left Venezuela since the start of 2016, according to the UN. UNHCR head Filippo Grandi told reporters in Geneva the figure of 70.8 million only includes Venezuelans who had officially applied for asylum -- roughly half a million people. Overall, the number of displaced people in the world has doubled over the last 20 years and now exceeds the population of Thailand. The trend, Grandi said, continues to go in "the wrong direction". Conflicts 'Never' End According to Amnesty International, a refugee is a person who flees their home country and cannot or will not return due to conflict or fear of persecution. The report lists 41.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs), 25.9 million refugees, and 3.5 million asylum seekers -- those awaiting a decision on their bid for official refugee protection. The countries with the most internally displaced people -- fleeing within their own countries -- are Syria, wracked by conflict since 2011 and Colombia, plagued by decades of violence, said the UNHCR. The group of refugees, it added, included 5.5 million Palestinians scattered across several countries, notably Lebanon and Jordan. The best solution for a refugee is to be able to return home once their country stabilises, but Grandi noted that 20 per cent have been in exile for more than two decades. "We have become almost unable to make peace," the UNHCR chief said. "It is true there are new conflicts, new situations producing refugees..., (but) the old ones never get resolved," he added. "When is the last conflict that you remember was resolved?" 'Praise' for Germany The UNHCR has at times sought to push back against the phrase "migrant crisis", especially as it has been applied to an influx of people into Europe via the Mediterranean sea. The agency has argued that while mass migration does pose serious challenges, it can be managed, particularly by wealthier nations. Grandi praised Germany for its acceptance of migrants and its efforts to "demystify" the notion that migration is unmanageable, "even when the numbers are very big." "I usually don't like to praise and criticise but I think in this case, I'd like to praise Germany for what it has done," said Grandi in Geneva, ahead of the report's launch in Berlin. He noted that Chancellor Angela Merkel had paid a "heavy price" politically for her openness to migration, arguing this made her actions "even more courageous".

Record 70.8 million people displaced at end of 2018: UN

Pope Francis called Sunday for the evacuation of refugees held in detention camps in Libya, particularly women and children, as fighting there escalates.&nbsp;

"I make an appeal that especially the women, children and sick can be evacuated as soon as possible through humanitarian corridors," Francis said at the Sunday prayer at the Vatican.&nbsp;

Their situation "which is already very serious, has become even more dangerous due to the ongoing conflict," he said.

A group of around 140 refugees is expected to arrive in Rome from Libya on Monday.&nbsp;

Humanitarian groups and international organisations are alarmed at the situation of thousands of migrants trapped in detention centres in Libya, as fighting rages between forces loyal to the Tripoli-based government of national unity and those loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar.&nbsp;

Libya, long a major transit route for migrants desperate to reach Europe, is home to around 6,000 migrants who are held in official detention centres, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Hundreds more are held by armed groups elsewhere in the war-hit country.

The UN and international aid groups have warned that thousands of migrants and refugees who fled violence at home and are now trapped in Libyan detention centres are facing enormous dangers and must be evacuated.

On Wednesday the UN refugee agency UNHCR said it had evacuated 325 asylum seekers from the Qasr Bin Ghashir detention centre a day after an attack against refugees and migrants. It was not clear who carried out the assault.&nbsp;

Pope Francis called Sunday for the evacuation of refugees held in detention camps in Libya, particularly women and children, as fighting there escalates. "I make an appeal that especially the women, children and sick can be evacuated as soon as possible through humanitarian corridors," Francis said at the Sunday prayer at the Vatican.

Pope Francis called Sunday for the evacuation of refugees held in detention camps in Libya, particularly women and children, as fighting there escalates. "I make an appeal that especially the women, children and sick can be evacuated as soon as possible through humanitarian corridors," Francis said at the Sunday prayer at the Vatican. Their situation "which is already very serious, has become even more dangerous due to the ongoing conflict," he said. A group of around 140 refugees is expected to arrive in Rome from Libya on Monday. Humanitarian groups and international organisations are alarmed at the situation of thousands of migrants trapped in detention centres in Libya, as fighting rages between forces loyal to the Tripoli-based government of national unity and those loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar. Libya, long a major transit route for migrants desperate to reach Europe, is home to around 6,000 migrants who are held in official detention centres, according to the International Organization for Migration. Hundreds more are held by armed groups elsewhere in the war-hit country. The UN and international aid groups have warned that thousands of migrants and refugees who fled violence at home and are now trapped in Libyan detention centres are facing enormous dangers and must be evacuated. On Wednesday the UN refugee agency UNHCR said it had evacuated 325 asylum seekers from the Qasr Bin Ghashir detention centre a day after an attack against refugees and migrants. It was not clear who carried out the assault.

Pope appeals for evacuation of refugees in Libya camps

European researcher lashes out at Pakistan at UNHRC

Researcher Hit out at Pakistan at UNHRC

Activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have condemned the Pulwama terror attack and asked Islamabad to dismantle all terror camps operating in PoK and parts of Pakistan.

At an event held on the sidelines of the 40th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday, while focusing on the threat of extremism and terrorism, the activists said that not only the region but the entire world is suffering from its menace.

Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) accused the Pakistani army of using terrorists for its proxy war against India.

He said, “Pakistan’s Army officials are now openly asking Kashmiris to stop using light weapons and go for suicide attacks. It is being openly preached by retired Army Generals. It is an alarming situation. We, people, love peaceful co-existence as our state is multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic. If Pakistan is continuously promoting extremism and terrorism, our state will be divided into thousand pieces on the basis of sects because we have Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims”.

Asserting that Pakistan is using religion, Kashmiri added, “Extremism is not in favour of any person. But, unfortunately, Pakistan loses its wisdom and always using terrorism as a weapon. They are using religion; they are using terrorism that’s why entire Pakistan is suffering. Pakistan’s civil society’s voice is suppressed by the terrorists and mullahs. Why? If any peaceful organisation is holding a protest against terrorism, against human rights violations these mullahs carry out attacks on these peaceful demonstrators. So, we are in a very critical situation, that’s why we are asking UN Human Rights Council and the world community to intervene and ask Pakistan to change its mind and send a fact-finding mission so that all the terrorist infrastructure which is very much intact in PoK should be dismantled”.

Misfar Hassan, another panellist and human rights activist from PoK said, “We have witnessed in history for the past 71 years that there have been attacks and counterattacks. With respect to the recent attack, the Pulwama attack, both the countries came closer to the brink of war and the whole world was shivering that both powers are nuclear and if anything goes wrong it could be proving catastrophic for the world”.

He added, “This is the time to review the situation, to dismantle all these terror operating groups wherever they are, be it in Pakistan occupied Kashmir or they are operating in Pakistan. Pakistan government needs to take some responsibility and get rid of these non-state actors because they are not only destroying the local but international peace.”&nbsp;

Activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have condemned the Pulwama terror attack and asked Islamabad to dismantle all terror camps operating in PoK and parts of Pakistan.

Activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have condemned the Pulwama terror attack and asked Islamabad to dismantle all terror camps operating in PoK and parts of Pakistan. At an event held on the sidelines of the 40th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday, while focusing on the threat of extremism and terrorism, the activists said that not only the region but the entire world is suffering from its menace. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) accused the Pakistani army of using terrorists for its proxy war against India. He said, “Pakistan’s Army officials are now openly asking Kashmiris to stop using light weapons and go for suicide attacks. It is being openly preached by retired Army Generals. It is an alarming situation. We, people, love peaceful co-existence as our state is multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic. If Pakistan is continuously promoting extremism and terrorism, our state will be divided into thousand pieces on the basis of sects because we have Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims”. Asserting that Pakistan is using religion, Kashmiri added, “Extremism is not in favour of any person. But, unfortunately, Pakistan loses its wisdom and always using terrorism as a weapon. They are using religion; they are using terrorism that’s why entire Pakistan is suffering. Pakistan’s civil society’s voice is suppressed by the terrorists and mullahs. Why? If any peaceful organisation is holding a protest against terrorism, against human rights violations these mullahs carry out attacks on these peaceful demonstrators. So, we are in a very critical situation, that’s why we are asking UN Human Rights Council and the world community to intervene and ask Pakistan to change its mind and send a fact-finding mission so that all the terrorist infrastructure which is very much intact in PoK should be dismantled”. Misfar Hassan, another panellist and human rights activist from PoK said, “We have witnessed in history for the past 71 years that there have been attacks and counterattacks. With respect to the recent attack, the Pulwama attack, both the countries came closer to the brink of war and the whole world was shivering that both powers are nuclear and if anything goes wrong it could be proving catastrophic for the world”. He added, “This is the time to review the situation, to dismantle all these terror operating groups wherever they are, be it in Pakistan occupied Kashmir or they are operating in Pakistan. Pakistan government needs to take some responsibility and get rid of these non-state actors because they are not only destroying the local but international peace.”

PoK activists condemn Pulwama terror attack at UNHRC, asks Pakistan to dismantle terror camps

India has said that Pakistan's use of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-says-wont-allow-terror-groups-to-use-our-territory-bans-hafiz-saeed-from-leading-friday-prayers-202085">terrorism as an instrument of state policy</a> is a "central problem" and the international community must unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators.&nbsp;

Addressing the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Rajiv Chander said, "Terrorism is the most fundamental violation of human rights and we overlook it at our own peril."&nbsp;

He told the Council that the "central problem is cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. This fact needs due recognition."&nbsp;

Chander called for a UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism, saying the international community needs to unequivocally condemn terrorism and those who perpetrate it.

"We firmly believe that UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to our own people. We all need to unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators,? he said at the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the envoy said India's views on the state have been made clear in the Council.&nbsp;

"The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory," Chander said.

Earlier, Pakistan's Acting Permanent Representative Tahir Hussain Andrabi had made references to Kashmir in his statement to the Council.

Chander said India's efforts towards protection and promotion of human rights are second to none.&nbsp;

"This is reflected in the Constitution of India that guarantees its citizens fundamental political and civil rights and provides for the progressive realisation and enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights," he said.

The diplomat underscored that India is a secular state and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of its polity.&nbsp;

"The Indian Constitution enshrines various provisions for the protection of rights and interests of the minorities. The State makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour or religion of a citizen," he said.

Chander underlined that along with being the world's largest democracy, Indian polity also weaves in immense diversity along with respect for tolerance and mutual understanding.&nbsp;

"An independent judiciary, free and vibrant media, and, a vocal civil society are all active in this regard within the legal framework of the State. National and State level Human Rights Commissions along with other specific Commissions continue to monitor complaints from minority communities regarding issues of discrimination and disadvantage faced by them," he said.

The government has issued Communal Harmony Guidelines which lay down Standard Operating Procedures to deal with communal violence, the envoy added.&nbsp;

India has said that Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a "central problem" and the international community must unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators.

India has said that Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a "central problem" and the international community must unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators. Addressing the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Rajiv Chander said, "Terrorism is the most fundamental violation of human rights and we overlook it at our own peril." He told the Council that the "central problem is cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. This fact needs due recognition." Chander called for a UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism, saying the international community needs to unequivocally condemn terrorism and those who perpetrate it. "We firmly believe that UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to our own people. We all need to unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators,? he said at the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights. On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the envoy said India's views on the state have been made clear in the Council. "The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory," Chander said. Earlier, Pakistan's Acting Permanent Representative Tahir Hussain Andrabi had made references to Kashmir in his statement to the Council. Chander said India's efforts towards protection and promotion of human rights are second to none. "This is reflected in the Constitution of India that guarantees its citizens fundamental political and civil rights and provides for the progressive realisation and enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights," he said. The diplomat underscored that India is a secular state and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of its polity. "The Indian Constitution enshrines various provisions for the protection of rights and interests of the minorities. The State makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour or religion of a citizen," he said. Chander underlined that along with being the world's largest democracy, Indian polity also weaves in immense diversity along with respect for tolerance and mutual understanding. "An independent judiciary, free and vibrant media, and, a vocal civil society are all active in this regard within the legal framework of the State. National and State level Human Rights Commissions along with other specific Commissions continue to monitor complaints from minority communities regarding issues of discrimination and disadvantage faced by them," he said. The government has issued Communal Harmony Guidelines which lay down Standard Operating Procedures to deal with communal violence, the envoy added.

Pak's use of terrorism as instrument of state policy 'central problem': India at UNHRC

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir.&nbsp;

He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the United Nations which was jointly organised by the Foreign Office and the UN country team at the Foreign Office.

During his speech, Qureshi outlined Pakistan’s priorities with a particular focus on social and economic development, poverty alleviation, job creation and institutional reforms.

Acknowledging the role and contribution of the United Nations in these endeavours, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s willingness to further build on this partnership.

Qureshi appreciated Pakistani troops and police personnel for their contribution to the UN peacekeeping and paid tribute to the 156 peacekeepers who died for the world peace.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir. He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the United Nations which was jointly organised by the Foreign Office and the UN country team at the Foreign Office. During his speech, Qureshi outlined Pakistan’s priorities with a particular focus on social and economic development, poverty alleviation, job creation and institutional reforms. Acknowledging the role and contribution of the United Nations in these endeavours, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s willingness to further build on this partnership. Qureshi appreciated Pakistani troops and police personnel for their contribution to the UN peacekeeping and paid tribute to the 156 peacekeepers who died for the world peace.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi urges UNHRC to probe human rights abuses in Kashmir

unhrc

Unhrc, News on Unhrc, stories on Unhrc, articles on Unhrc, Unhrc stories at Wion, Unhrc news, Unhrc latest news