Pakistan has raised serious concerns at the UN over what it calls “double standards” in the fight against terrorism. The country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, questioned why the UN Security Council’s terrorism list includes only Muslim groups. He highlighted that no non-Muslim extremist groups are held accountable on this list.
Speaking during a Security Council debate on threats to international peace, Iftikhar said this imbalance undermines the credibility of global counter-terrorism efforts. He called the exclusion of non-Muslim terrorist groups “absolutely unacceptable” and warned that political agendas fuel terrorism.
The Pakistani envoy also spoke about the evolving nature of terrorism in the digital age. He pointed out how extremist groups use online platforms to radicalize young people and raise funds. Iftikhar emphasized the growing cooperation between groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade. These groups, he said, target Pakistan’s infrastructure, strategic projects, and civilians.
Iftikhar reminded the UN that the TTP remains the largest terrorist group listed by the UN and operates from Afghan soil. He also described ISIS-K as the most dangerous global offshoot of ISIS, with an estimated 2,000 fighters in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani representative criticized India for supporting terrorist groups and accused it of cross-border terrorism and targeted killings abroad. He referred to India’s May 2025 strikes, which killed 54 Pakistani civilians, calling such actions “state terrorism disguised as counter-terrorism.”
Iftikhar urged the UN to adopt a balanced and law-based approach to counter-terrorism. He stressed the need to address root causes of terrorism, state repression, and Islamophobia. The envoy also called for recognizing legitimate struggles against foreign occupation, especially in regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine.
In conclusion, Pakistan called on the UN for a fair and united global response to defeat terrorism in all its forms.
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