Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif left UN with 'empty bag', no support: Syed Akbaruddin

New York: Asserting that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left with an empty bag and with no support at the United Nations following his speech where he glorified Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, India's permanent representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin said that India's main issue of focus was terrorism and that there is a crescendo of support for counter-terrorism at the UN General Assembly. "There have been 136 countries who have spoken so far in their national capacity so far in the general assembly. As of now, only one country has raised the issue you are referring to. The other 135 countries have not even referred to this. I understand that Prime Minister of Pakistan has left. So, he has left with an empty bag”, Akbaruddin said. He maintained that there is a huge support from the international community on India's issue of tackling terrorism. "As far as India is concerned our main issue of focus was terrorism. You can go and sit in the UN General Assembly and then you will realize that there is a crescendo of support for counter terrorism. Terrorism is now seen as one of the biggest scourges that is afflicting the members of the nations. There is huge support. There is broad agreement that this needs to be an area of focus of the international community," he added. Akbaruddin reiterated that the issues of interest to India are now on the top of international agenda, while Pakistan has not got any support from anyone in the UNGC. While addressing at the 71st session UNGA Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif said, "Burhan Wani, the young leader murdered by Indian forces, has emerged as the symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada, a popular and peaceful freedom movement, led by Kashmiris." The Prime Minister also extended support to the demands of Kashmiri people for self determination and called on the UN Security Council to hold free and fair plebiscite. He further demanded an independent inquiry and fact finding mission to investigate the situation in Kashmir.