Pakistan has reaffirmed its resolve to counter terrorism, particularly which is sponsored and financed by India, a United Nations panel heard in New York.
Speaking on the topic ‘Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism’ during a meeting of the General Assembly’s Legal Committee, Pakistan’s acting permanent representative Ambassador Usman Jadoon said that the country had the ability as well as determination to counter any such scourge.
The envoy highlighted Pakistan’s leading role in the global fight against terror over the past two decades, stating that despite being a victim itself, the country “is ready to tackle” externally fueled threats. He pointed out that terrorism has evolved – and continues to do so – over time, which demanded that the UN’s counter-terrorism framework adapt to modern challenges, such as cyber threats and recruitment of terrorists by using cryptocurrencies.
He called upon the global body to address unresolved global conflicts, especially in Kashmir and Palestine, at the earliest to completely eradicate terrorism. His remarks regarding India’s role in sponsoring terrorism and its occupation of Kashmir provoked a sharp response from an Indian representative, who reiterated claims of ‘sovereignty’ over the disputed territory.
A Pakistani delegate countered these assertions during a right to reply. Ambassador Usman Jadoon condemned Israel’s actions in Palestine and Lebanon, and warned of a wider regional conflict if remained unchecked. Demanding accountability for these actions, he called for global adherence to the UN Charter and international laws to prevent a descent into widespread violence.
He informed the participants about the sacrifices Pakistan had made in the fight against terror, saying that more than 80,000 lives have been lost so far, while cross-border attacks by terror groups continued to date. He said those anti-state groups were actively being aided and sponsored by “our eastern neighbor”, which ironically “likes to play victim”.
Pointing to rights abuses in Kashmir and Palestine by terror regimes, he said the international community had a role to play in ensuring that counter-terrorism efforts did not violate human rights. The envoy told the panel that Pakistan supports the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s stance on the need for a ‘Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism’ that could differentiate between terrorism and legitimate struggles for self-determination.
He said that the United Nations’ counter-terror structure needs to be changed to remove Islamophobic terminologies such as ‘jihadists’ and ‘Islamists’. Pakistani delegate Jawad Ajmal responded to India’s accusations of Islamabad’s involvement in any disturbance by saying that it was New Delhi that had been sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and undermining regional stability.
He pointed to India’s role in terror financing and its efforts to disrupt Pakistan’s economy, especially by targeting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He highlighted India’s global terror activities, which had been proved by the country’s involvement in assassination plots abroad, as exposed in Canada and the United States.