UNITED NATIONS: Pakis­tan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi delivered a dossier on India’s interference and involvement in acts of terrorism in the country to UN secretary general Antonio Guterres.

A letter from Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, which was also handed over along with the dossier, asks the UN chief to restrain India from interfering in Pakistan and from carrying out activities aimed at destabilising the country.

The dossier contains information and proof of Indian intelligence agency RAW’s (Research and Analysis Wing) interference in Pakistan and its involvement in terrorism in Balo­chistan, Federally Adminis­tered Tribal Areas and Karachi.

The document is a follow-up to the three dossiers shared with the UN in October 2015, said a press release on Firday.

Mr Aziz in his letter noted that the arrest of RAW agent Kulbhushan Jadhav in Balo­chistan and his confessional statement admitting involvement in activities aimed at destabilising Pakistan and support to terrorist elements had vindicated Pakistan’s longstanding position about India’s involvement in such activities.

India was carrying out these activities in clear contravention of the UN Charter and resolutions of the Security Council on counterterrorism and international conventions on terrorism, the letter read. “India’s hostile intentions towards Pakistan were also borne out by recent statements of its political and military leadership.”

Pakistan, Mr Aziz said, had made a major contribution to global counterterrorism efforts and secured significant gains in its domestic fight against terrorism.

“This achievement has come at a great national cost, including the lives lost of thousands of civilians and security forces personnel. India’s actions threatened to undermine these gains,” the UN chief was told.

Mr Aziz urged the secretary general and relevant UN bodies to seriously consider the matter in the light of information shared by Pakistan and play a role in restraining India from these activities, which were in clear violation of international law and posed a threat to regional and international peace and security.

Pakistan continues to desire peace with all its neighbours including India, the letter read. Pakistan is convinced that the common objectives of economic development and prosperity for the two peoples can best be promoted through regional cooperation, conflict resolution and peaceful settlement of disputes.

“At the same time, however, Pakistan will resolutely defend its territorial integrity and take all necessary measures to counter any threat to its security,” it concluded.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2017