Pakistan’s UN representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has raised concerns about escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, calling for increased international intervention. He flagged that withholding tax by India could be seen as an act of war and suggested convening the UN Security Council soon.
In a press conference, Ahmad expressed that there is a “real threat of kinetic action” from India, and lamented that Pakistan’s stance hasn’t gained much sympathy globally. He reiterated that withholding water from the Indus is unacceptable and would prompt Pakistan to defend itself vigorously.
Recent developments, particularly following the terrorist attacks in Pahargam, have heightened these tensions. Ahmad stressed the need for “preventative actions” and “diplomatic dialogues” to avoid disaster. He mentioned meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and emphasized that all related parties must agree to an effective resolution.
India, however, has resisted outside involvement, citing past agreements that frame the dispute as a bilateral issue. Ahmad acknowledged discussions with various UN officials and expressed concerns about imminent threats from India, although he refrained from sharing specific intelligence details.
While he maintained that Pakistan doesn’t seek escalation, he confirmed readiness to protect its sovereignty. Ahmad also avoided answering questions about links to past terrorist activities and figures, indicating that he wished to steer the conversation away from those topics.
