Pakistan is 'terroristan': India at United Nations in reply to Pak PM's speech

India on Friday slammed Pakistan at the United Nations (UN) for using 'terrorism' as an 'instrument of state policy'. Pakistan is now 'Terroristan', India said in its scathing rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi's maiden speech at the 72nd UNGA session where he had called for a special envoy for 'Kashmir' while alleging that the "struggle of the people in the region is being brutally suppressed by India".

The first snub a senior official told India Today was by having a young Indian diplomat exercise the 'Right of Reply' against the Pakistani Premier as the speech didn't 'warrant' response from a senior level.

India's response was delivered by First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Eenam Gambhir who spoke of the safe havens and protection that Pakistan provided to terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar. "In its short history, Pakistan has become a geography synonymous with terror. The quest for a land of pure has actually produced 'the land of pure terror'. Pakistan is now Terroristan", she said. Adding, "Its current state can be gauged from the fact that Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, a leader of the United nations designated terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, is now sought to be legitimised as a leader of a political party,"

Earlier during the day the Pakistani Prime Minister had in his speech levelled allegations against India on sponsoring terrorism within Pakistani territory while pushing for dialogue on Kashmir. "This dialogue must be accompanied by an end to India's campaign of subversion and state sponsored terrorism against Pakistan, including from across our western border," Abbasi said.

PAKISTAN SINGS THE JADED K-TUNE

India's stand was made clear yet again on the fact that Pakistan uses terrorism to foment trouble in the valley. "None of this can justify Pakistan's avaricious efforts to covet the territories the State of Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral part of lndia. However much it scales up cross-border terrorism, it will never succeed in undermining India's territorial integrity," the Indian diplomat asserted.

Pakistan also claimed that it was also a victim of terrorism. "Having suffered and sacrificed so much due to our role in the global counterterrorism campaign, it is especially galling for Pakistan to be blamed for the military or political stalemate in Afghanistan," Prime Minister Abbasi said. In response to which Eenam Gambhir asserted that Pakistan was trying to alter reality and change facts. "By now, all Pakistan's neighbours are painfully familiar with these tactics to create a narrative based on distortions, deception and deceit", she said.

India has raised the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan at every meeting that was held on the sidelines of the UNGA. External Affairs Minister who is to deliver her address on Saturday is also expected to make a very strong statement on terrorism, especially on the support that terror networks get from countries in the neighbourhood.

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