Pak 'extols' virtues of terrorists, uses terrorism as state policy: Syed Akbaruddin

UNITED NATIONS: Strongly hitting back at Pakistan for raising in the UN the issue of the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, India has said Pakistan "extols" the "virtues" of terrorists and uses terrorism as a state policy towards the "misguided end" of coveting the territory of others. India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin responded strongly to the remarks made by Pakistan's envoy Maleeha Lodhi on Kashmir and Wani's killing during a debate on human rights in the 193-member UN General Assembly here yesterday. In her statement, Lodhi, apart from raising the Kashmir issue, also mentioned the "extra-judicial" killing of Wani, whom she described as a "Kashmiri leader", by Indian forces. In his statement, which sources here termed as perhaps the hardest-hitting against Pakistan in recent times, Akbaruddin said Pakistan "extols" the virtues of terrorists and could not gain membership of the UN's human rights body because of its "track record". Lashing out at Lodhi's raising of the Kashmir issue at the multi-lateral world body, Akbaruddin said it is regrettable that Pakistan attempted to "misuse" the UN platform. "Regrettably, earlier today we have seen an attempt at misuse of this UN platform. The attempt came from Pakistan; a country that covets the territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self determination," he said. Akbaruddin asserted that Pakistan's "track record" failed to convince the international community that it should gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very session of the UNGA. "The international community has long seen through such designs. Cynical attempts, like the one this morning therefore, find no resonance in this forum or elsewhere in the United Nations," he said Akbaruddin asserted in his statement that as a "diverse, pluralistic and tolerant" society, India's commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights is enshrined in its founding principles. "We remain strongly committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights for all through pursuit of dialogue and cooperation," he said. At least 30 people have been killed and more than 250 injured in the clashes between protesters and security personnel after Wani's killing in an encounter last week. The UN has expressed concern over the tensed situation in Kashmir, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint to avoid further violence and hopes that all concerns would be addressed through peaceful means." Ban's spokesman had said the UN Chief was closely following the recent clashes in Kashmir and "regrets" the loss of dozens of lives and injuries to many others.