New Delhi: Pakistan got a royal snub at the global stage when it was not invited by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a vital discussion on Afghanistan.
Pakistan had formally requested the UNSC chair – currently held by India’s permanent representative TS Tirumurti – to allow it to participate in the session in order to present its perspective on the Afghan situation.
But the UNSC president did not accept the request, said media reports in Islamabad.
In a statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) has said, “Pakistan’s request to the President of the Security Council (UNSC) to address the council’s session and present its perspective on the Afghan peace process and the way forward was not acceded to.”
“On the other hand, the UNSC (council’s) platform was made available to enable the peddling of a false narrative against Pakistan,” it said.
The powerful 15-nation UNSC, currently under India’s Presidency for the month of August, held a meeting on the situation in Afghanistan on Friday, August 6.
It was double attack and embarrassment for Pakistan as Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ghulam Isaczai, launched a scathing attack on Islamabad, saying it was providing safe haven and logistical support to the Taliban.
“Pakistan categorically rejects these accusations. Pakistan’s position on the issue has been shared with Security Council members,” the Pak government statement said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) visited the Line of Control and was briefed about the prevailing situation in the volatile region.
“There needs to be zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It is equally important to ensure that Afghanistan is not used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any other country,” the Indian envoy at UN, T S Tirumurti said.
Tension prevails in Afghanistan as Taliban continues to indulge in violence and take control of those areas.
Amid global concerns, Pakistan’s role has come in question for quite sometime now.
The Afghanistan government has repeatedly flayed Pakistan for its questionable role in supporting the Taliban forces.
Afghanistan has eloquently alleged that it is Pakistan which is standing as a principal supporting force ‘behind’ the Taliban.
“We think, yes, it is the Taliban doing the work …but it is a proxy war.
