At UN, Sushma shows 'mirror' to Pak, urges it to focus on development

New York: Showing mirror to Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday asked Pakistan to divert the funds it is using for terror-related works and rather focus on "domestic development". Addressing the UN General Assembly here, Ms Swaraj categorically said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered the hand of "peace and friendship" to its western neighbour and therefore the onus is on Pakistan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister "must answer why his nation spurned this offer'.

She also termed Pakistan a 'Master in forgetting facts.' Ms Swaraj said while over past 70 years, India focused on 'domestic development' under various party governments and and produced scientists, scholars and doctors, for its part, Pakistan concentrated on producing terrorists like Lashkar and Hizbul Mujahideen. "Pakistan walo humne scholar banaye, doctor banaye.....apne Lashkar aur Hizbul banaye," she said amid thumping of desks. Referring to Pakistan PM's statement in the UN, Ms Swaraj virtually mocked at Pak PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and said, "While he was addressing, everyone seemed to ask - Look who is speaking".

Speaking in Hindi, the Minister waxed eloquently to highlight the glaring difference between India and Pakistan and said, "On one side India is working to create IITs, IIMs, AIIMs and prepare scholars, on the other side Pakistan is creating terror institutions like LeT, Jaishe-Mohammd and Hizbul". She also spoke about several global challenges like terrorism, climate change, maritime security, unemployment, gender empowerment, nuclear proliferation and cyber security.
On achieving target set for 2030, she called for a sense of urgency and unshakable fortitude to take decisions to avert catastrophe. "India has displayed courage and leadership to take tough decisions which have launched interlinked process of sustainable development," Ms Swaraj said.

Stressing on PM Modi's economic empowerment approach to eradicate poverty, Ms Swaraj said, "We are turning them from job-seekers into job-providers." She spoke at length about several initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana, Skill India, Ujjwala Yojana and Digital India. The Minister also referred to the demonetisation and rollout of GST and said how it has benefitted the country. (UNI)