New York, September 28, 2025: Pakistan has forcefully rejected Indian allegations at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), accusing New Delhi of being “not just a serial perpetrator of terrorism, but also a regional bully.”
Exercising the right of reply, Pakistan’s Second Secretary to the UN, Muhammad Rashid, responded to remarks by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Rashid underscored Pakistan’s sacrifices in fighting terrorism, stating, “We have lost over 90,000 lives in this fight. Pakistan remains one of the strongest pillars in leading global counterterrorism efforts, as highlighted by my prime minister at this forum.”
Rashid countered that India itself has been implicated in destabilising activities beyond its borders. “There are credible reports pointing to networks run by Indian intelligence agencies to destabilise neighbouring countries,” he said. “Undermining regional stability and violating international law has become a habit for India.”
He further charged that New Delhi’s policies are inspired by “hegemonic designs and radical ideology” that fuel “hate, divisions, and xenophobia” across South Asia.
In a second right of reply, Rashid condemned what he described as India’s “mockery” of Pakistan’s name during the proceedings. “Such language reflects neither maturity nor responsibility. It exposes India’s frustration and reveals its pettiness on the world stage,” he remarked. “Resorting to cheap slurs is not worthy of serious discourse.”
The exchanges come against the backdrop of heightened tensions following what Islamabad described as India’s “unprovoked assault” earlier this year, which triggered a four-day conflict — the worst escalation between the two countries in decades. India blamed Pakistan for an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a charge Islamabad has repeatedly denied.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his UNGA address, struck a more conciliatory tone, saying Pakistan was ready to pursue peace after what he termed a decisive military response to India in May. “We have won the war, and now we seek to win peace in our part of the world. This is my most sincere and serious offer before this assembly of nations,” the premier said.
He praised the “professionalism and bravery” of Pakistan’s armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and the air chief marshal, crediting them with successfully repulsing the Indian assault.
