Pak is ‘terrorist state’, carries out war crimes: India to UN

From Yoshita Singh United Nations, Sep 22 (PTI) India today called Pakistan a"terrorist state" and accused it of carrying out "war crimes"against Indians through its "long-standing policy" ofsponsoring terrorism, hours after Pakistan Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif raked up Kashmir issue at the UN General Assemblysession. In a strong rebuttal, India said the terrorists designatedby the UN continued to roam Pakistan’s streets freely andoperate with State support. Exercising India’s Right of Reply to Sharif’s "longtirade" about the situation in the Indian state of Jammu andKashmir, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India tothe UN Eenam Gambhir said "the worst violation of human rightsis terrorism." "When practised as an instrument of state policy it is awar crime. What my country and our other neighbours are facingtoday is Pakistan’s long-standing policy of sponsoringterrorism, the consequences of which have spread well beyondour region," she said. Gambhir said India sees in Pakistan "a terrorist state"which channelises billions of dollars, much of it divertedfrom international aid, to training, financing and supportingterrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours. In a reference to JeM chief Masood Azhar and Mumbai terrorattack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, she said terroristentities and their leaders, including many designated by theUN, continue to roam the streets of Pakistan freely andoperate with State’s support. "With the approval of authorities, many terroristorganisations raise funds openly in flagrant violation ofPakistan’s international obligations," Gambhir said. She said while Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation record ismarked by "deception and deceit," it talks about restraint,renunciation and peace. "Similar false promises it has made to us – theinternational community – on terrorism. Perhaps renunciationof lies and self-restraint on threats could be a good placefor Pakistan to start," Gambhir said. India also strongly slammed Sharif for glorifying HizbulMujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed on July 8 bythe Indian forces. "Even today we have heard support by the Prime Minister ofPakistan for a self-acknowledged commander of a knownterrorist organisation," she said. Gambhir said Pakistan was a democracy deficit country andpractises terrorism on its own people. "It extends support to extremist groups, it suppressesminorities and women and denies basic human rights includingthrough draconian laws," she added. (MORE) PTI YAS MRJCPS