India hit back at Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing Islamabad of raising false allegations over minority rights in India solely to deflect attention from its own internal crises. Exercising India’s Right of Reply, diplomat R Mythili challenged Pakistan’s human rights and rule-of-law record, citing the military’s overpowering influence over state institutions and rising curbs on press freedom. In a separate UN session, New Delhi also issued a stern warning against cross-border terrorism and nuclear threats originating from across the border.
Delivering India’s Right of Reply to Pakistan at the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee on October 9, Mythili rejected Islamabad’s criticism of India’s treatment of religious minorities, calling it a “tactical diversion”. The committee was discussing the rule of law at the national and international levels.
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Judicial independence undermined, civilians tried in military courts, political opposition suppressed,” she said, according to a statement shared by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN and cited by ANI. Pakistan’s Information Ministry said that the guidelines were not intended to curb press freedom. However, in the case of Pakistan, unfortunately, this promise is broken again and again,” she said. Responding to Pakistan’s claims of success during the confrontation, Mythili said, “As far as the result of the same is concerned, if bombed airfields and destroyed hangars are victory, they are welcome to enjoy it.”
Mythili accused Pakistan’s military of exercising excessive influence over the country’s institutions and questioned its record on judicial independence, civilian trials in military courts and the treatment of political opposition. “At the UN, Pakistan lectures others on the rule of law. Yet at home, the Army is the rule, and the Army is the law. Mythili, however, cited the rules while questioning Islamabad’s claims about upholding the rule of law. “The rule of law bestows an obligation upon those in positions of power to do good for those they govern.
