United Nations (TDI): Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to combat terrorism, highlighting its struggles against externally sponsored violence, particularly those allegedly financed by India.
Speaking during a UN General Assembly debate on “Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,” Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, asserted that the country has the will, determination, and capability to confront this issue.
“Despite being a victim of terrorism, we have led the fight against it for the last two decades,” Ambassador Jadoon stated, emphasizing the evolving nature of terrorism and calling for the UN’s counter-terrorism architecture to address new forms, including cyber threats and the use of cryptocurrencies for recruitment.
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The Pakistani envoy underscored the need to resolve underlying conflicts, such as the issues of Kashmir and Palestine, which he argued contribute to global terrorism.
His remarks on Indian-sponsored terrorism prompted a swift response from an Indian delegate, who reaffirmed claims over the disputed territory.
Ambassador Jadoon rejected these assertions during his right to reply.
Pakistan’s Sacrifices
He highlighted Pakistan’s significant losses, with approximately 80,000 casualties from terrorist activities, and criticized India for allegedly sponsoring cross-border attacks by groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Da’esh.
The ambassador called for the international community to ensure that counter-terrorism efforts do not violate human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly in relation to Israel and India.
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He urged that a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) must differentiate between terrorism and legitimate struggles for self-determination, arguing that definitions should include new forms of extremism, such as far-right and Islamophobic ideologies.
