A United Nations panel has rejected the application of World Sindhi Institute (WSI), a US-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), for consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) on the ground that the organisation was "working against the territorial integrity of Pakistan."
Following strong objections from Pakistani delegate Bilal Hayee, the Committee on NGOs decided to bar the UN doors on the institute, which advocates self-determination for the people of Sindh province.
The decision was unanimous. Hayee said the World Sindhi Institute was involved in activities contrary to the principles of the UN, and urged the committee not to recommend the organisation for accreditation with Ecocsoc. He was supported by representatives of Turkey, Sudan, China and Cuba.
In other development, the committee postponed consideration of the application by the Kashmir American Council (KAC), a Washington-based organisation which promotes human rights and human dignity, until it has provided some of its publications.
India's delegate B.N. Reddy pointed out that the Kashmir American Council pleaded for the right of self-determination as did the World Sindhi Institute, whose application was rejected.
The Pakistan delegate rejected any analogy between the Kashmiri American Council and the World Sindhi Institute. The institute advocated the right of self-determination in a part of Pakistan that was indisputably part of the country, Hayee said. But self-determination for the disputed area of Kashmir was a valid topic of discussion, as United Nations resolutions call for a settlement of the dispute. The Indian delegate did not challenge Pakistan's assertion on Kashmir.
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