The UN platform

After weeks of discussion on Indian interference in Pakistan and the hostile statements issued by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers, Islamabad appears to have decided to take the matter to the UN. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi is in the country for a week and is believed to have been called in to discuss strategy on the India issue and how to table it at the UN. On Tuesday, Dr Lodhi, one of Pakistan’s more experienced diplomats, met with Foreign Office officials to discuss matters that have come up lately, including the evidence that has appeared of Indian funding for the MQM. A recent BBC documentary has brought the matter out into the open and Islamabad cannot really afford to ignore it. There is also growing anxiety over the tone adopted by Modi as well as strong Indian opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif who met Dr Lodhi on Wednesday is obviously eager to seek UN help on these matters. A plan for this is under discussion. It may be noted that the UN will be marking its 70th anniversary this year. This makes Sharif’s address to the UN General Assembly later this year also an important occasion. He will be seeking good lobbying before this to build up support for Pakistan’s case.
The case is a fairly strong one. India must explain the reports about funding for groups engaged in violence in Pakistan and the country’s interference in other matters. The situation in Balochistan is also obviously a cause of concern for Pakistan. The challenge for the country is to put all this before the UN as sensibly and effectively as possible. It is becoming quite clear that rising tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad are destabilising the region. In many ways India has made what amounts to an open declaration of a hidden war, suggesting it is using terrorists in Pakistan to combat acts of terrorism. It could be excellent news for Pakistan if the UN does decide to take up the matter. The series of discussions held at the FO and with the prime minister have obviously been intense. Let us hope that a way has been found to put Pakistan’s flight forward in a way that will persuade the international community to act. We know that in the capitals around the world there has been some concern about Modi’s policies. It is time that these were prevented from causing lasting harm. Dr Lodhi is capable of making a strong case. It will be her task to do so now.