At the United Nations, Pakistan urged the international community to take action against all forms of terrorism, including state-sponsored violence and the misuse of counter-terrorism laws to suppress legitimate struggles in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Counter-Terrorism Should Not Justify Occupation
Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s Legal Committee, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative, said that counter-terrorism efforts must not be weaponised to justify human rights violations or foreign occupation.
He emphasised the need to clearly distinguish between terrorism and the legitimate struggle for self-determination.
Pakistan’s Sacrifices in the Fight Against Terrorism
Jadoon stated that Pakistan has led the fight against terrorism for over two decades, sacrificing more than 90,000 civilians and soldiers.
He said that despite these sacrifices, Pakistan still faces state-sponsored terrorism from across its borders.
He accused India of supporting militant groups such as TTP, Da’esh, and BLA, which target civilians and children.
Call for UN Reforms and an End to Islamophobia
The envoy called for reforms in the UN’s counter-terrorism system to address new and emerging threats.
He urged the global body to confront Islamophobia, far-right extremism, and disinformation campaigns used as tools of state policy.
He stressed that Islam and Muslims must not be stigmatised under the pretext of countering extremism.
Global Failure to Address State Terrorism
Jadoon said that global counter-terrorism efforts have failed to tackle state terrorism, including the military occupation and oppression of innocent populations.
He called for collective accountability to end impunity for aggressor states that commit human rights violations under the guise of counter-terrorism.
Pakistan Rejects Indian Allegations
Responding to India’s accusations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani delegate Muhammad Jawad Ajmal dismissed the claims as baseless.
He said that Pakistan had offered an independent investigation, which India rejected, and condemned the Indian air strikes that killed 54 civilians, including children and women.
India Accused of Regional Destabilisation
Ajmal accused India of state-sponsored terrorism, extra-territorial assassinations, and spreading hate through its Hindutva ideology.
He said India’s actions have destabilised the region and held South Asia hostage to aggression and disinformation.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, Ajmal said that true peace requires sincerity, dialogue, and mutual respect — principles that Pakistan continues to uphold.
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