Exclusive-No Dialogue, No Peace: Inside Pakistan’s Diplomatic Stand at the UN
- Ahmed Fathi
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Ahmed Fathi
UNITED NATIONS, New York — As regional tensions surged following the April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistan’s top diplomat to the United Nations offered a detailed defense of Islamabad’s position, calling for an impartial investigation, adherence to international law, and a return to structured dialogue with India—potentially with third-party facilitation.
In an exclusive interview, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, rejected Indian allegations that Pakistan-based groups were behind the attack and criticized what he described as a premature military response by New Delhi.
“This was a terrorist incident, and Pakistan condemned it along with the international community,” Ambassador Ahmad said. “But accountability cannot be achieved without evidence, investigation, and legal process. Allegations alone are not a basis for action.”
Escalation and Retaliation
On May 6, India launched airstrikes across the Line of Control, describing them as counterterrorism operations. Pakistan responded with its own military action. Ambassador Ahmad asserted that Pakistan’s actions were taken under the right of self-defense, as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“Their actions violated Pakistan’s sovereignty,” Ahmad said. “Our response was proportional and lawful under international norms. There is no provision in international law for unilateral armed strikes based on assumption.”
Ceasefire: Turning Point or Temporary Pause?
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire followed the military exchange. While acknowledging the role played by Washington and other international actors, the ambassador warned that such truces would be fragile without political will.
“We welcome the ceasefire,” Ahmad said. “But it cannot simply be a pause. Remarks by Indian leadership suggesting it’s temporary are unhelpful. We need to move toward a sustainable peace process.”
Humanitarian Concerns and Civilian Harm
Ahmad also expressed grave concern over the impact of military escalation on civilians near the Line of Control.
“Over 30 civilians were killed, and dozens injured in the first wave of strikes,” he stated. “Pakistan’s response targeted only military sites, but India’s actions endangered civilian lives and even disrupted international commercial air traffic.”
He emphasized that Pakistan has always sought to minimize harm to civilians and called on both sides to reestablish humanitarian protocols to avoid future escalations.
Treaties Under Strain: Indus Waters and Simla
The ambassador addressed India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s reassessment of the Simla Agreement, both long-standing mechanisms for managing bilateral disputes.
“India’s move to place the Indus Treaty in abeyance is a violation of international law and the Vienna Convention on treaties,” Ahmad said. “There is no legal provision for such unilateral suspension.”
While clarifying that Pakistan has not suspended the Simla Agreement, he noted that Islamabad is reviewing its options as bilateral mechanisms have failed to deliver stability.
Call for Multilateral Engagement
Ahmad indicated a growing openness from Pakistan toward multilateral or third-party involvement in resolving long-standing disputes, including Kashmir.
“Bilateral dialogue is effectively frozen,” he said. “India suspended it over a decade ago. Yet it insists on resolving everything bilaterally—while refusing to engage. That contradiction has blocked progress.”
Pakistan, he said, remains open to facilitation by the United Nations, the United States, or other international actors.
“If bilateral paths are closed and mediation is rejected, what is left? Pakistan welcomes international facilitation. The door is open on our side,” he emphasized.
Kashmir and the Road Ahead
Ahmad identified Kashmir as the central unresolved issue preventing lasting peace between the two nations.
“This is an international dispute under Security Council resolutions,” he said. “It must be resolved in line with international law, and more importantly, the will of the Kashmiri people.”
He called on the global community to recognize that sustainable peace in South Asia depends on addressing root causes—not merely managing symptoms.
“The current ceasefire is a starting point,” he concluded. “But unless we engage in honest, structured dialogue, we will continue to return to the brink every few years.”
Awaiting India’s Response
The interview concluded with a renewed appeal for balanced dialogue. “I hope to bring you the Indian perspective next,” Fathi said. “The path forward requires hearing both sides, and we remain committed to presenting them in full.”
Watch the full interview with Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad on |ATN-American Television News| official platform.