FO slams UN experts' 'selective' criticism

Spokesperson says govt's anti-terror actions align with international law

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ISLAMABAD:

The Foreign Office said on Wednesday that Pakistan would protect the lives and security of its people, particularly in areas where innocent civilians bore the brunt of foreign-sponsored terrorism and pursue policies aimed at fostering social and economic development for all segments of society.

The Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the measures undertaken in this regard by the Pakistan government were fully consistent with international law, which categorically prohibited incitement to violence and terrorism.

"There can be no tolerance, let alone impunity, for terrorists, their facilitators, or their abettors," the spokesperson said, in response to questions about statement by UN human rights experts. "Their abuses of law and human rights violations cannot be ignored."

In a statement issued earlier in the day, a group of independent human rights experts affiliated with the UN called on the Pakistani government to release Baloch rights activists detained after recent protests and to curb its crackdown on demonstrations against enforced disappearances and other issues.

"We have been monitoring with growing concern reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists over the past number of months, and the violent incidents in the past few days have significantly increased our concerns," they said in the joint statement.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that the UN experts' comments lacked balance and proportionality, downplayed terrorist-inflicted civilian casualties, and disregarded the crimes committed by miscreants who deliberately fomented insecurity.

"We have taken note of the press release issued by certain UN experts, which appears to be based on selective and unverified media reports," the spokesperson said, emphasising that public statements of this nature must adhere to principles of objectivity and acknowledge the full context of the situation.

"Any credible assessment must recognize that these elements are not mere protesters but active participants in a broader campaign of lawlessness and violence," he said. "Their abuses of law and human rights violations cannot be ignored," he added.

The spokesperson said that hiding behind a facade of alleged grievances, these elements were operating in collusion with terrorists, which was evident from their coordinated efforts to obstruct state responses, including synchronised roadblocks facilitating terrorist attacks.

"The latest proof of this nexus was their unlawful storming of the District Hospital in Quetta, where they forcibly seized the bodies of five terrorists eliminated during the Jaffar Express hostage rescue operation."