In a world increasingly fractured by geopolitical tensions, the United Nations Security Council remains a crucial forum for addressing the most pressing challenges to international peace and security. During a recent briefing on the 21st report of the UN Secretary-General on the threat posed by Daesh (ISIS), Pakistan’s Permanent Representative delivered a powerful and unequivocal message. The address was not merely a recitation of regional concerns but a forceful critique of the global counterterrorism framework itself, highlighting the need for a unified, principled approach that rejects double standards and politically motivated agendas. It was an argument anchored in Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices and its firsthand experience on the front lines of this relentless struggle.
A Legacy of Sacrifice
Pakistan’s contribution to the global fight against terrorism is a chapter written in blood and marked by profound economic hardship. As the envoy underscored, few nations have sacrificed more for the success of these global efforts. With more than 80,000 lives lost, including countless civilians and security personnel, and an economic toll in the hundreds of billions of dollars, Pakistan’s commitment is a testament to its resolve. This is not a new fight for the country. Pakistan was pivotal in the initial effort to dismantle Al-Qaeda and its leadership, and it continues to stand firm against Daesh (ISIS) and a constellation of its regional affiliates. The envoy specifically named groups like the TTP, BLA, and the Majid Brigade, recognizing them not as isolated threats but as part of a larger, interconnected web of violence and instability.
New Threats
The core of Pakistan’s warning centered on the alarming evolution of the terrorist threat within the region. The envoy pointed to ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan, which are being exploited by these militant groups to regroup, rearm, and coordinate their attacks. For Pakistan, the danger is both grave and immediate. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a UN-designated terrorist organization, remains the most significant threat, with an estimated 6,000 fighters sheltered on Afghan soil. The envoy detailed the disturbing evidence of collaboration, where the TTP is working in concert with the BLA and the Majid Brigade to target strategic infrastructure, critical economic projects, and innocent civilians inside Pakistan. This collaboration represents a dangerous new phase in a long-standing conflict, one that requires more than just reactive measures.
The Human Cost
To put a face to the statistics, Pakistan’s representative recalled two recent, horrific tragedies. The hijacking of the Jaffar Express in March claimed the lives of 31 passengers, while a terrorist attack on a school bus in Khuzdar in May stole the futures of 10 people, including eight children. By stating, “These are not just numbers. These are stolen futures,” the envoy effectively shifted the discourse from geopolitical analysis to human empathy. This poignant appeal served as a powerful reminder that behind every attack are real lives, shattered families, and communities living in fear. It was a direct challenge to the Security Council to see beyond diplomatic language and recognize the brutal reality of terrorism on the ground.
The Shadow of State-Sponsored Violence
Perhaps the most provocative and urgent point of the address was the statement of state-sponsored terrorism masquerading as counterterrorism. The envoy directly implicated India, citing instances of extraterritorial assassinations and a blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. The night of May 6-7, when Indian forces struck under the guise of counterterrorism, was highlighted as a particularly egregious example. The attack, which killed 54 Pakistanis, including 15 children and 13 women, was a deliberate targeting of civilians. This statement cuts to the very heart of the double standards Pakistan sought to expose, encapsulated in the powerful statement: “When state terrorism masquerades as counter-terrorism, international peace is the first casualty.” The envoy’s call for the Council not to look away was a direct appeal for consistent application of international law, regardless of the perpetrator’s statehood.
The Digital Battlefield
Beyond the kinetic threats, the envoy also warned of the digital dimension of terrorism. As extremist groups exploit social media, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and even artificial intelligence to radicalize, recruit, and glorify violence, the need for a new set of countermeasures has become acute. The envoy’s call to choke the digital arteries of terrorist networks through greater international cooperation, from Interpol to national law enforcement, recognizes that the fight against terrorism is no longer confined to physical battlefields but has entered the interconnected realm of cyberspace.
The speech culminated in a five-point agenda for the UN and its member states, providing a clear roadmap for a more effective and equitable global response. These priorities are not a list of demands, but a foundational framework for collective action.
First, the envoy called for addressing the root causes of terrorism through long-term strategies and by addressing the grievances that fuel extremism. Second, he urged for an end to state terrorism and oppression, pointing to the stark examples of Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir and the occupied Palestinian territories. This point highlights Pakistan’s view that prolonged occupation and the suppression of legitimate struggles for self-determination are breeding grounds for radicalization. Third, he implored the Council to recognize the critical difference between terrorism and the legitimate struggles for self-determination against foreign occupation.
Fourth, a particularly pointed critique was leveled at the UN’s sanctions regimes. The envoy argued that these regimes must be revised to reflect new threats and, most importantly, should reject the stigmatization of Islam. The statement that “It is unacceptable that every name on the Security Council’s terrorism list is Muslim, while non-Muslim extremists escape scrutiny” directly challenged the perceived bias in the current system. Finally, the envoy called for strengthening the global regulation of digital tools and ensuring cross-border law enforcement cooperation to counter the evolving threat.
Conclusion
In his concluding remarks, Pakistan’s envoy returned to the core theme of his address: the essential need for unity, cooperation, and, above all, consistency in global counterterrorism efforts. He stressed that effective counterterrorism requires joint action, firmly anchored in consensus-based principles and embedded in international law. The success of this fight, he argued, can only be achieved by rejecting double standards and politically motivated agendas. His message was a clear and forceful reminder that selective justice and inconsistent application of principles will not defeat terrorism, they will only empower it. Pakistan’s unwavering commitment, born from its own immense suffering, stands as a powerful argument for a more honest and unified global front.
