Top UN envoy briefed on Indian missile fiasco

Foreign secretary terms incident consistent with India’s irresponsible conduct, urges international community's action

Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood on Thursday apprised Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Ambassador Khaled Khair on the recent incident of the firing of a missile by India into Pakistan’s territory, saying it was consistent with India’s irresponsible conduct and needed to be addressed by the international community.

The top official conveyed to the dignitary that the attack was a serious violation of Pakistan’s airspace and reflective of India’s disregard for aviation safety as well as regional peace and stability.

He emphasised that Islamabad continued to act with restraint and responsibility and recalled that the foreign minister of the country had addressed a letter to the President of UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, inter alia, calling for a joint probe into the incident to establish the facts.

Also read: OIC endorses Pakistan's call for joint probe into India’s missile incident: FO

Mahmood also highlighted the grave violations of human rights and illegal demographic changes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

He stressed the importance of a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The two sides also exchanged views on matters concerning Afghanistan. They agreed on the urgent need for the provision of adequate humanitarian and emergency assistance to the Afghan people.

They observed the revival of the Afghan economy and financial system; and the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan with the active involvement of the United Nations. The foreign secretary appreciated the UN’s important contributions in this regard.

On the situation in Ukraine, Mahmood shared Pakistan’s perspective on the ongoing conflict, its adverse economic impact on developing countries, and the country's consistent calls for cessation of hostilities and a solution through dialogue and diplomacy.

Also read: Pakistan draws international attention to Indian missile fiasco

The duo also discussed ties between Pakistan and the UN, especially in the area of peacekeeping.

He lauded Pakistan’s contributions to UN peacekeeping over the years as one of the largest troop contributors.

Ambassador Khairi was in Pakistan as the representative of the UN Secretary-General at the 48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad on March 22-23, coinciding with the 75th-anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence.