UN experts slam India’s unilateral actions of May 7 inside Pakistan
- They say India failed to provide evidence that Pakistan was involved in Pahalgam attack.
The UN experts have raised strong objections on India’s unilateral actions of May 7 inside Pakistan, asserting that the use of force by India violated the principles of the United Nations Charter.
In a report on India-Pakistan war, the UN experts said Indian attacks targeted civilian areas, mosques were affected and several civilians were killed and wounded, Radio Pakistan reported.
The UN experts said that Pakistan informed the Security Council that it reserved the right to self-defence under Article 51.
They said India failed to provide credible evidence that Pakistan was involved at the state level in the Pahalgam attack.
The UN experts emphasised that there is no recognised right for unilateral military force under the pretext of counterterrorism. They warned that India’s actions posed the risk of escalating into a major conflict.
IWT still ‘alive’: DPM Dar urges international action on Indian breaches
They termed the Indian actions a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the principles of non-interference.
The UN special rapporteurs have also endorsed Pakistan’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty. They expressed deep concern over India’s declaration to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty. They noted that any obstruction or threat to the flow of water affects the fundamental rights of millions of people in Pakistan.
“The rights to water, food, employment, health, environment and development are directly impacted by this decision,” they said.
The UN special experts emphasised that interference with transboundary water rights must be avoided. They said water cannot be used as a tool for political or economic pressure.
The special experts’ report recognised that no party can unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasising the treaty remains in effect unless both governments mutually terminate it through a new agreement.
May war: CM Sohail Afridi doubles compensation for KP martyrs’ families to Rs10mn
The special experts’ report also referred to the Indian refusal to participate in arbitration and challenging the scope of the IWT.
The UN experts demanded India to fully honour the treaty and refrain from violating Pakistan’s rights. They said India should take concrete steps to prevent human rights violations and damages arising from the obstruction of water.
The UN special rapporteurs also sent a questionnaire to the Modi government, raising key questions including the evidence of Indian allegations. They also inquired about India’s intentions regarding a peaceful resolution to Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
India did not respond to any of the questions. Due to the lack of response, the UN special experts released the report.
President welcomes UN experts’ findings on India’s actions
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed the report issued by United Nations human rights experts, which raises serious concerns over India’s military actions against Pakistan in May this year and its wider conduct affecting global and peace and stability, the President House’s media wing reported.
The president said the report reinforces Pakistan’s long-standing position that the unilateral use of force across international borders constitutes a violation of the United Nations Charter and a grave breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
“The findings relating to civilian deaths, damage to populated areas and religious sites of Pakistan in May, and the heightened risk of escalation caused by India are deeply disturbing,” he said.
He appreciated the report’s observations on India’s unilateral declaration of “holding in abeyance” its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty, its aggressive posture and statements and the serious civilian losses resulting from Indian aggression. He said the Treaty remains a binding international agreement and a cornerstone of regional stability. He stressed that bypassing agreed dispute-resolution mechanisms and actions affecting water flows violate Pakistan’s rights and risk creating serious human rights consequences.
President Zardari said the report also reflects growing international concerns over India’s conduct as a rogue state that increasingly acts as a global bully, relying on coercion, intimidation and the normalisation of force and violence rather than law and dialogue.
He noted that serious reports of transnational violence and targeted killings attributed to India, raised in multiple countries, point to a dangerous pattern that extends beyond the region and undermines global norms.
The president expressed concern that the report clearly manifests the irresponsible state behaviour of India.
“India has long stonewalled its minorities and ignored its commitments to international forums such as the United Nations, but this pattern of rogue behaviour cannot continue indefinitely,” he said, and underscored that such behaviour cannot be allowed to persist.
The president noted the report’s clear conclusion that international law does not recognise any separate right to unilateral military action under the pretext of counter-terrorism. He said the affirmation of Pakistan’s inherent right to self-defence under international law highlights the seriousness of the violations identified.
The president welcomed the UN experts’ scrutiny of India’s regional conduct, including concerns relating to support for terror outfits and the use of an illegitimate Afghan government to advance hostile objectives and called for transparency and accountability in this regard.
Zardari also welcomed the call by UN Special Rapporteurs for credible evidence, compensation for civilian losses, adherence to treaty obligations and a commitment to peaceful dialogue, including on Jammu and Kashmir.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, restraint and respect for international law, he said Pakistan will continue to pursue diplomatic and legal avenues to safeguard its sovereignty, protect the rights of its people and promote stability in the region.