The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) slammed Pakistan at a “closed consultation” on Monday over tensions between India and the nation following the Pahalgam terror attack. The members quizzed Islamabad about Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) involvement in last month’s terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, India. The terror attack claimed the lives of 26 people including 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator.
Pakistan, which is one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC, had requested the council’s Greek presidency for “closed consultations” over tensions with India, ANI reported, citing sources. The nation got a taste of its own medicine as they were asked tough question on LeT involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack and some members reportedly raised questions about the targeting of tourists based on their religion, unnamed sources told PTI.
The UNSC meeting witnessed condemnation of the terror attack and recognised the need for accountability. According to the report, they also voiced concern about Pakistan’s recent nuclear tests.
The veto-wielding permanent nations of the UNSC include China, France, Russia, UK, and the US. Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia are among its non-permanent members.
They asked Pakistan to sort out its issues bilaterally with India.
The UNSC or India has not yet released any statement following the meeting.
Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani envoy Asim Iftikhar told reporters after the UNSC meeting. Additionally, he stated that India had violated international law by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
A diplomat from Tunisia Khaled Mohamed Khiari declared that the situation was “volatile” and that “dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict” were needed.
The discussion was deemed “productive and helpful” by envoy Evangelos Sekeris from Greece, who is also the UN Security Council’s president for May.
A Russian ambassador stated that he hoped for de-escalation.
UN chief Antonio Guterres had urged both nations to exercise utmost prudence and “step back from the brink” prior to the meeting, stating that “a military solution is not a solution.” “It hurts me to see relations reaching a boiling point,” he had added.
Guterres had expressed that he understood the “raw feelings” in response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. “Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” he had stated.
The world was shocked by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which was one of the bloodiest in decades. Following the killing, India revoked the visas of Pakistanis residing in India and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty as terror links to Pakistan emerged.