In a significant diplomatic statement at the United Nations, India has called upon Pakistan to engage in serious introspection regarding its recent constitutional and political maneuvers, particularly highlighting the controversial 27th Amendment that provides lifetime legal immunity to its Chief of Defence Forces, General Asim Munir. The remarks were delivered by India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during a session on Tuesday, where he emphasized the need for Pakistan to reflect on its adherence to the rule of law and democratic principles.
India's Critique of Pakistan's Constitutional Amendment
Ambassador Harish pointedly questioned Pakistan's internal governance, urging the nation to examine how its armed forces have engineered what he described as a "constitutional coup" through the 27th Amendment. This amendment, passed by Pakistan's Parliament in November last year under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, grants lifelong legal immunity to Field Marshal Asim Munir, shielding him from prosecution for actions taken during his tenure. The move has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups in Pakistan, who argue it undermines accountability and represents a significant overreach of constitutional authority.
Harish stated, "It could start by asking itself how it has let its armed forces engineer a constitutional coup through the 27th amendment and giving life-time immunity to its Chief of Defence Forces." He further advised Pakistan to introspect about the rule of law, suggesting that such measures raise serious concerns about the state of democracy and justice in the neighboring country.
Reaffirmation of Jammu and Kashmir as Integral to India
In his address, Ambassador Harish also strongly criticized Pakistan for repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue at international forums like the UN. He unequivocally reaffirmed that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir "has been, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India." This statement underscores India's firm stance on the territorial integrity of the region, countering Pakistan's persistent attempts to internationalize the dispute.
Indus Waters Treaty and Terrorism Concerns
Turning to the Indus Waters Treaty, Harish accused Pakistan of violating the spirit of the agreement by engaging in three wars and sponsoring thousands of terror attacks against India. He detailed how, over six and a half decades, Pakistan's actions have led to the loss of thousands of Indian lives in terrorism-related incidents. In response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Harish announced that India has been compelled to hold the Treaty in abeyance until Pakistan, which he labeled a "global epicentre of terror," credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border and all forms of terrorism.
He elaborated, "Throughout these six and a half decades, Pakistan has violated the spirit of the Treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India. Thousands of Indian lives have been lost in Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks." This move signals a significant shift in India's approach to the water-sharing agreement, linking its continuation to Pakistan's actions on terrorism.
The diplomatic exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with India using the UN platform to call out what it perceives as Pakistan's internal democratic deficits and external aggressions. The emphasis on introspection and rule of law reflects India's broader strategy of holding Pakistan accountable on multiple fronts, from constitutional issues to cross-border terrorism.
