New York: In a fervent address to a United Nations panel, Pakistan reiterated its resolve to tackle terrorism sponsored from abroad, highlighting its long-standing battle against such threats. A senior Pakistani diplomat accused India of supporting and financing these activities, intensifying the longstanding tensions between the two nations.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the acting permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, spoke during the General Assembly’s Legal Committee debate on ‘Measures to eliminate International Terrorism.’ He emphasized that Pakistan has been at the forefront of the anti-terrorism fight for two decades. Ambassador Jadoon outlined the evolving nature of terrorism, which now includes the use of cryptocurrencies and online platforms for recruiting terrorists. He stressed the need for the UN’s counter-terrorism structures to evolve in response to these new challenges.
Further in his speech, Jadoon highlighted the broader issues of unresolved conflicts and foreign occupations, specifically pointing to the situations in Kashmir and Palestine. He argued that these are root causes of terrorism that must be addressed to eradicate the threat globally.
The Pakistani delegate’s remarks prompted a rebuttal from an Indian representative who restated India’s position on Kashmir, which Jadoon contested in his subsequent right of reply. Additionally, Jadoon pointed out the human toll in Pakistan, citing 80,000 casualties due to terrorism and ongoing cross-border terrorism supported by groups like the TTP Fitna al Khawarij, Da’esh, and the Majeed Brigade.
Jadoon also addressed the international community’s role in ensuring that counter-terrorism measures do not infringe on human rights or international humanitarian law, criticizing the actions of Israel in Palestine and India in Jammu and Kashmir in this context.
In conclusion, he affirmed Pakistan’s support for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) stance that a consensus-based Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) should differentiate clearly between terrorism and legitimate movements for self-determination under foreign occupation.