FM writes UN to intervene after Indian rhetoric on Pulwama incident

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to step in to defuse tension between Pakistan and India which was fomented by India in the aftermath of baseless allegations over Pulwama attack.

In a letter addressed to the UN secretary general, the Foreign Minister said that India must be asked to conduct an open and credible investigation on Pulwama incident.

“It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India,” he added.

“You may also consider asking India to refrain from further escalating the situation and enter into dialogue with Pakistan and the Kashmiris to calm the situation down,” according to contents of the letter shared by Foreign office in a press release on Tuesday.

Qureshi further said that the Pulwama attack on Indian Central Reserve Police Force was ostensibly and even by Indian accounts carried out by a Kashmiri resident of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

“Attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd,” he added.

The Foreign Minister said for domestic political reasons, India had deliberately ratcheted up its hostile rhetoric against Pakistan and created a tense environment.

It has also hinted that it might abandon the Indus Waters Treaty.

This would be a grievous error, the minister cautioned.

Emphasizing upon Guterres, he said it was imperative to take steps for de-escalation.

“I request that this letter be circulated to members of the Security Council and General Assembly,” he added.