 "UN chief calls Shehbaz Sharif second time in a week as UNSC cautions Pakistan over 'escalatory' moves")
For the second time in a week, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday and warned him against any military aggression amid ongoing tensions with India.
Following the Pahalgam attack, which India has blamed on Pakistan, the tensions between the two countries is at its highest in years. Pakistan has taken several escalatory steps, such as conducting frequent missile tests and moving troops to the border.
In the call with Shehbaz, Guterres further said that the platform of the UN was open to India and Pakistan for mediation in the conflict.
On his part, Shehbaz appreciated Guterres’ engagement with both the countries and welcomed his call for de-escalation, according to Pakistani state media.
Pakistan sticks to lies
Even though Guterres asked Pakistan to get off the escalatory, the country stuck to its lies.
In the call with Guterres, Shehbaz said that India had not yet provided any evidence regarding the Pahalgam attack and continued to resort to provocative actions, according to state media.
Shehbaz was further reported as telling Guterres that Pakistan remained “seriously” concerned at India’s attempts to politicise international financial institutions in an attempt to harm Pakistan’s economic interests.
Despite Pakistan’s lies, the UN Security Council (UNSC) put Pakistan under scrutiny at a closed-door meeting on Monday. UNSC members flagged Pakistan for making escalatory moves amid tensions with multiple missile tests and threats of nuclear attacks threats against India. They also rejected the Pakistan’s claim that the Pahalgam attack, which was claimed by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba’s front organisation The Resistance Front (TRF), was a false flag operation.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘Now is the time to step back from the brink’
In a separate press briefing, Guterres said that tensions between India and Pakistan remained at the highest levels in many years and it was time to step back from the brink. He also said there was risk of military confrontation spiralling out of control.
“It is also essential —especially at this critical hour— to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control. Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” said Guterres.
Last week, Guterres had also spoken with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the Pahalgam attack. He said that they “agreed on the importance of accountability”. In his remarks on Monday as well, Guterres further backed India’s resolve to bring those involved in the attack to justice.
Guterres said, “Targeting civilians is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means.”
Guterres, however, said that “a military solution is no solution” and offered his good offices to India and Pakistan to help defuse tensions and promote diplomacy.
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