Remove Priyanka Chopra as UN 'Goodwill Ambassador': Pakistan writes to UNICEF

Frustrated after repeated failure on multiple fronts to secure support to its efforts against India’s Kashmir move, Pakistan have approached the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), seeking to remove Indian actress Priyanka Chopra as the UN 'Goodwill Ambassador'.

In a letter to UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, Pakistan Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari alleged that Priyanka Chopra has “supported” the Indian government’s stand on Kashmir and “nuclear threat” issued to Islamabad by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

By the so-called nuclear threat, the Pakistani minister was apparently referring to Rajnath Singh’s remark that India’s no first use nuclear policy will depend on the situation, hinting at a major shift in New Delhi’s nuclear policy.

"All this goes completely against the principles of peace and goodwill that Ms Chopra is supposed to uphold as an UN Goodwill Ambassador for peace. Her jingoism and support for violations by the Modi government of international conventions and UNSC resolution on Kashmir, as well as support for war, including a nuclear war, undermines the credibility of the UN position to which she has been elevated," the letter read.

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Pakistan has been opposing India's move to remove provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories. In an attempt to pressurise India to take back its decision on Kashmir, Pakistan has taken several decisions, including downgrading of diplomatic ties and suspension of bilateral trade with India. The neighbouring country has also taken the issue to the United Nations Security Council with the help of China.

Pakistan had also cancelled the bi-weekly Samjhauta Express train service connecting Lahore and New Delhi. The Samjhauta Express train service was suspended earlier this year, due to escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries following Pulwama attack. However, the services resumed later.