UNITED Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, while expressing his concern over what he said was the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan, has urged the neighbouring countries to come to its help. Mr Ban who was addressing a press conference in New Delhi must have had Afghanistan and India in mind when referring to neighbours but it was disappointing to see him not mentioning the role both countries have been playing to destabilize Pakistan. There should be little doubt that being the leader of the global body he would be aware of the nature of bilateral relations, especially the factor of illegal occupation of Kashmir by India. One had wished he urged it to respect UN resolutions on the dispute. Instead of condemning Indian atrocities in held Kashmir his stress on the need to continue the dialogue process amounted to sidestepping the focus from the core issue. Likewise, there was no reference in the Secretary General's speech to the US unilateral air strikes on Pakistani territory and the havoc they were causing. The situation in tribal areas and the plight of the internally displaced persons is just one offshoot of US adventurism. Thus his preference to turn a blind eye to the reality and absolve the countries like the US and India of what they have been doing reflects poorly on the state of the UN and its effectiveness in solving outstanding world disputes. Little wonder, many voices throughout the world have been rightly airing their views that the UN was subservient to the US. Its failure to prevent the US from attacking Iraq and Afghanistan is a case in point. Mr Ban if he really is sincere in easing the tension in the region should at the earliest be trying his best persuade India to respect the relevant UNSC resolutions giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination. The issue needs to be resolved urgently; otherwise, it would continue pricking the conscience of the international community.