In a claim which might raise questions over the reports created by the United Nations (UN), a Canada based Pakistani Islamist has claimed that he played a role in creating the UN”s Human rights report on Kashmir, ANI has reported.
As per the report, the Islamist named Zafar Bangash, who is an Imam at York Region’s Mosque’s Islamist society, made such a claim while addressing a conference in Canada’s city of Mississauga.
As reported by Reuters, the UN report had among other things alleged that during the Kashmir protests since 2016, “Indian security forces used excessive force that led to unlawful killings, and a very high number of injuries”.
The 49 page report, which was spearheaded by UN”s High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, also claimed that the pellet guns used by security forces was one of the most dangerous weapons around. It also proceeded to condemn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA).
The report had also demanded that Pakistan stop using anti-terror legislation to clamp down activists.
Now as reported by ANI, Zafar Bangesh decided to reveal with “humility and great pride” that the Friends of Kashmir organisation had a role to play in the preparation of the report. Bangesh who is the President of the organisation claimed that he had personally corresponded with UN’s High Commissioner Al Hussein.
This correspondence supposedly includes Al Hussein replying to Bangesh’s personal letter and e-mail, wherein he asked for access to the both sides of Line of Control (LOC). Bangesh is also quoted as claiming that during their correspondences, he had responded to Al Hussein after consulting with Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson.
India in response to the UN report had called “overtly prejudiced” seeking to build a “false narrative”. It even questioned the intent in bringing out such a report, and asserted that it violates the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
