Pakistan urges UN to halt arms race, calls for Kashmir talks

Pakistan has urged the United Nations to avert an arms race in the area and stressed the need for negotiations on all unresolved concerns, including Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the range of wars in the globe was widening, international law was shrinking and restraint was being thrown off.

Andrabi advocated for de-escalation in the Middle East, saying the mediation between Iran and the United States had resulted in a truce and the Islamabad MoU.

He said the Mecca defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey was defensive in nature and in conformity with the UN Charter.

The Pakistani envoy claimed instability in South Asia was due to India’s aggressive military posture, adding that the region continued to come under pressure because of India’s large-scale military buildup.

He said Pakistan did not want an arms race but would keep its defense capabilities commensurate with its need.

Andrabi warned against the assumption that the existence of nuclear capability meant war could be controlled.

The permanent envoy reiterated Pakistan’s position on regional problems, saying conversations should be held on all pending matters including Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.