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  ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected India’s remarks at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) concerning the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and allegations of terrorism, describing them as an attempt to misrepresent facts and divert attention from issues raised by Pakistan. The response came after India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and suggested that the issue had affected bilateral cooperation under the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan dismissed these allegations during the UNSC’s High-Level Open Debate on “Natural Resource Governance: The Foundation of Peace, Security and Prosperity.” Speaking in a right of reply, Pakistan’s First Secretary to the UN, Ansar Shah, said India’s statement was misleading and represented a futile effort to distort the facts surrounding the treaty and regional security issues. He maintained that the Indus Waters Treaty remains legally valid and binding, rejecting India’s claim that the agreement could be placed in abeyance through unilateral action. Shah stated that the treaty contains no provision allowing either party to suspend or set it aside on its own. He referred to the Court of Arbitration’s August 2025 award, which, according to Pakistan, reaffirmed that the treaty continues to remain fully in force along with its dispute resolution mechanisms. He argued that India’s unilateral approach violated the terms of the agreement as well as established principles of international law. Pakistan also accused India of using shared water resources as a political tool. Shah said any attempt to weaponise water for political pressure or to restrict water access would amount to a serious breach of international legal obligations and norms. He added that such actions could undermine regional stability and pose risks to international peace and security, making the issue relevant to discussions at the Security Council. Responding to India’s allegations regarding terrorism, Shah rejected the accusations and instead claimed that India was attempting to conceal its own involvement in activities that Pakistan says have contributed to terrorism within its borders. He alleged that militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade had been responsible for attacks that claimed the lives of thousands of Pakistani civilians and security personnel, including women and children. Pakistan reiterated its long-standing allegation that India supports and finances these groups, a claim India has consistently denied. Shah also referred to reports of alleged extraterritorial operations involving India, saying such incidents had raised international concerns. He further argued that India could not portray itself solely as a victim of terrorism while ignoring accusations directed against it. Addressing the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said the people of the region continue to be denied their right to self-determination. He maintained that the territory remains internationally recognised as disputed and asserted that no unilateral measures could alter its legal or historical status. He also urged India to fulfil its obligations under the UN Charter and implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Earlier in the debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains effective and legally binding. He called on the UN Security Council to remain vigilant against the misuse or weaponisation of natural resources and encouraged greater use of preventive diplomacy, peaceful dispute resolution, monitoring mechanisms, and other international measures to prevent disputes over shared resources from escalating into broader conflicts.

  Islamabad: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has called on the government to focus on resolving the problems faced by the people instead of relying solely on the use of force to establish the writ of the state. He made these remarks in a statement criticizing the government’s economic policies and its handling of public affairs. According to Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, a state’s authority cannot be maintained through coercive measures alone. He argued that the government should prioritize addressing the everyday concerns of citizens, including rising inflation, unemployment, and the increasing cost of essential services. He said that public trust is strengthened when governments respond to people’s needs rather than depending on administrative pressure or strict enforcement. The Jamaat-e-Islami leader strongly criticized the government’s electricity policies, alleging that the ruling authorities are placing an unbearable financial burden on the public through high electricity charges. He stated that ordinary citizens are struggling to pay their utility bills at a time when the cost of living continues to rise. According to him, households and businesses alike are being severely affected by expensive electricity tariffs, making it increasingly difficult for many families to manage their monthly expenses. Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman also criticized the government’s fuel taxation policy. Referring to the petroleum levy, he alleged that the government is effectively collecting money from the public in the form of what he described as “extortion.” He argued that increasing fuel-related taxes has a direct impact on transportation costs, which in turn raises the prices of food, consumer goods, and other essential commodities. As a result, he claimed, inflation continues to place additional pressure on the country’s middle- and lower-income groups. In his statement, the Jamaat-e-Islami chief further alleged that both the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came to power through what he referred to as “Form 47” This phrase has been used by some political parties in Pakistan to allege irregularities in the electoral process. His remarks reflect his party’s political stance regarding the legitimacy of the current governing coalition. Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman maintained that the country’s leadership should focus on providing relief to the public by reducing electricity prices, reviewing taxation policies, and introducing measures that improve the economic conditions of ordinary citizens. He emphasized that sustainable governance depends on public confidence, transparency, and policies that directly benefit the people. The government has previously defended its economic decisions by stating that measures such as electricity pricing and petroleum levies are necessary to meet fiscal requirements and maintain economic stability. However, opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, continue to argue that these policies have placed excessive financial pressure on the public. The latest remarks by Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman come amid ongoing political debate over Pakistan’s economic challenges, rising inflation, and governance. His statement highlights Jamaat-e-Islami’s continued criticism of the government’s economic policies and its call for greater public relief, while also reiterating the party’s political objections regarding the current administration’s mandate.