Pakistan denounces UN experts remarks about Balochistan situation

Taking notice of the statement by UN experts on Balochistan situation, Pakistan has vowed no concessions to the facilitators of the terrorists, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan regretted remarks by the UN experts, clarifying that the agitational protesters were not peaceful and were “close comrades” of the terrorists. 

The FO spokesperson likened the UN experts’ statement as strengthening the extremists. “The protesters were involved in a wide campaign of lawlessness and violence. The government will not give any concessions to them,” he added.

The FO spokesman maintained that public’s safety is government’s top-most priority, urging the United Nations to avoid issuing controversial statements.

More than a dozen United Nations experts demanded Wednesday that Pakistan immediately release detained Baloch rights activists and halt its crackdown on peaceful protests. "We have been monitoring with growing concern reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists over the past number of months," the independent experts said in a statement.

In their statement, the experts, including the UN special rapporteurs on the situation of human rights defenders, on minority issues and on counter-terrorism and human rights, decried "the use of excessive force as a first response to peaceful protests".

"We understand the deeply traumatic impact of the March 11 terrorist attack, and we express our deepest sympathy to the victims," said the experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself. "Yet a response which relies on arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and violent crackdowns on freedom of assembly cannot alleviate that trauma."

"We urge the Pakistani authorities to immediately release them and to refrain from abusing counter-terrorism or public safety measures against human rights defenders," the experts said.

Reaction on UN experts remark

Commenting on the UN experts’ demand to release protesters during his weekly briefing on Thursday, the FO spokesperson said the comments lacked balance and proportionality, downplaying civilian casualties inflicted by terrorist attacks while disregarding the crimes committed by miscreants who deliberately disrupt public services, obstruct freedom of movement, and create an atmosphere of insecurity.

He said that such elements were not mere protesters but active participants in a broader campaign of lawlessness and violence. “Hiding behind a façade of alleged grievances, these elements are operating in collusion with terrorists—evident from their coordinated efforts to obstruct State responses, including synchronized roadblocks facilitating terrorist attacks.”

He said that the latest proof of this nexus was their unlawful storming of the District Hospital in Quetta, where they forcibly seized the bodies of five terrorists eliminated during the Jaffar Express hostage rescue operation. Three of these bodies were retrieved back from these violent protestors by the police.

He said that the pattern of “selective and disproportionate” focus by the UN machinery served no constructive purpose. Instead, it inadvertently emboldens extremist elements, fuels unwarranted media sensationalism, incites disorder, and—most alarmingly—exacerbates societal polarization and fragmentation, he added.

He said that the statement by the UN Special Procedures Mandate Holders stood in stark contradiction to the very essence and spirit of the UN’s own Resolution 2354.

“Rather than supporting a sovereign State in its determined and resolute efforts to combat terrorism, such statements risk legitimizing extremist narratives — an outcome that is not only counterproductive but also fundamentally at odds with the principles the UN purports to uphold.”

Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

The FO spokesperson welcomed the recently agreed upon limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, prohibiting attacks on energy infrastructure and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea.

Shafqat Khan appreciated the active engagement of the US administration and its leadership in securing the agreement between Russia and Ukraine. He expressed optimism that the new momentum generated by these initial steps would eventually lead to a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire.

“Pakistan’s position on the Ukraine conflict has been consistent. Pakistan has enjoyed friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine. We have always advocated dialogue and diplomacy, immediate cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution of this conflict,” he remarked.

Israel attacks on Syria condemned

The spokesperson said that Israel’s continued and repeated incursions and air strikes into the Syrian territory, continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, and its declared intent for an indefinite presence and full demilitarisation of Syria were “unacceptable, constitute blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermine international law and regional stability.”

He said that durable peace in Syria hinged on a credible political transition, national unity and reconciliation and inclusive governance.

Indian raids on houses of APHC leaders

Spokesperson Khan expressed concerns over the series of raids by the Indian authorities on the residences belonging to members of different constituents of All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) which he said were aimed at crushing dissent and intimidating the local people.

“We urge the Indian authorities to stop these oppressive measures, and respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people, including their right to self-determination,” he said.

Envoy’s Kabul visit

He also apprised the media of the recent visit of Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq to Kabul, he said that during a meeting with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi, both sides exchanged views on all issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, trade and economic cooperation, as well as people-to-people contacts.

Both sides agreed to enhance high-level engagement and dialogue to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two sides also reinforced their commitment to a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship, with a view to achieving lasting regional peace and stability.

During Thursday’s news briefing, Shafqat Khan also welcomed an American statement considering TTP as a threat.

Reporter Anwer Abbas