India trying to politicise UNSC sanctions committee: Pakistan

Pakistan on Thursday accused India of politicising the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committee by making unfounded "insinuations" against it, days after China blocked India's move calling for action against Pakistan over 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi's release.

Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said that a recent complaint by India against Pakistan was discussed in one of the regular meetings of the Sanctions Committee on purely technical ground and the committee decided not to take any action on India's demand.

"Pakistan therefore rejects any insinuations and politically motivated moves and attempts that question its commitment to the UN Security Council's decisions," he was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan. India had demanded the UN Sanctions Committee to take action against Pakistan in the wake of release of Lakhvi in violation of the 1267 resolution of the UN dealing with designated entities and individuals.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, had blocked India's move in the UN calling for action against Islamabad over Lakhvi's release on grounds that India did not provide adequate information. Kahlilullah said Pakistan supports and respects the decisions of the Security Council while India on the other hand is in open violation of its various resolutions particularly relating to Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He claimed that Pakistan is fully complying with its international obligations with regard to implementation of UN sanctions and the monitoring team of the Sanctions Committee, after visiting the country in January, issued a positive report on measures to implement the sanctions.

A Pakistani court had on April 9 set free Lakhvi, a development which India said "eroded" the value of assurances repeatedly conveyed to it by Pakistan on cross-border terrorism. Responding to a question about the BBC report alleging that India is providing funds to MQM, the spokesperson said the concerned ministry was looking into it.

He added that interference in the internal affairs of any country is in violation of the principles of the UN Charter. When asked about construction of wall by India on the Line of Control, Khalilullah claimed that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and the UN Security Council resolutions on the issue under which no side is allowed to alter the situation on the ground.

Pakistan also rejected Afghanistan's allegations that ISI or its officers were involved in the recent parliament attack and promised to support reconciliation process with Taliban.

Also Read: US urges India and Pakistan to ease the tension and resume talks