People Of Balochistan ‘Waging A Brave Struggle’ Against Atrocities Committed By Pakistan: India Tells UN

India on Thursday raised the issue of Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva and urged the UN body to take a "clear-cut stance" against atrocities committed by Pakistan, adding that the people of the state are “waging for decades a bitter and brave struggle against daily abuse”.

The Indian delegation also slammed Pakistan for raking up Jammu and Kashmir at the UNHRC for propagandist purposes, reminding Islamabad of its obligation under UN resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of the Indian state.

Exercising India's fourth right of reply, the delegation said, "Islamabad has had territorial ambitions over the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947. It has been using this forum to rake up the issue while it has a poor record on human rights in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, in other parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan. Pakistan's continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardise the safety and security of its neighbouring countries," India said at the council.

Pointing to the atrocities committed by Pakistan in Balochistan, India said, "The people of Balochistan , amongst other provinces, have been waging for decades a bitter and brave struggle against their daily abuse and torture. Religious and sectarian minorities such as Hindus, Christians, Sunnis, Ahmadiyas, Ismail and others continue to face discrimination, persecution and targeted attacks in Pakistan. Places of worship belonging to minorities have been destroyed. Blasphemy laws remain in force and are used against religious minorities."

Given this state of affairs, Pakistan will be well-advised to focus on setting its own house in order and acting against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours instead of raking up Kashmir, the Indian delegation said.

With inputs from ANI