Pakistan has strongly criticized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for what it described as “clear double standards” in its approach to designating terrorists. Speaking at a recent Security Council meeting on “Threats to Global Peace Posed by Terrorism,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, highlighted the glaring imbalance in the UN’s consolidated list of terrorists.
He pointed out that not a single non-Muslim extremist or terrorist organization appears on the Council’s list, while individuals and groups from Muslim-majority nations dominate the registry. According to him, this selective categorization undermines the credibility of the UNSC, divides the global community, and weakens collective counter-terrorism efforts.
Pakistan’s Core Argument: Unjust Targeting of Muslims
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar made it clear that the exclusive focus on Muslims as perpetrators of terrorism creates the dangerous perception that extremism is unique to Islam.
- He noted that non-Muslim extremists—such as far-right groups, white supremacists, Hindu extremists, and anti-minority militias—often escape accountability at the international level.
- The ambassador condemned the UNSC for overlooking such threats, especially when evidence shows these groups are responsible for mass violence, hate crimes, and organized terrorist campaigns in many regions.
Pakistan argued that this discriminatory trend fuels Islamophobia, stigmatizes Muslim communities, and undermines global unity against terrorism.
Call for Impartial and Transparent Measures
During his address, the ambassador emphasized that counter-terrorism measures must be:
- Impartial – No religion, nationality, or ethnicity should be singled out.
- Principled – Strategies should be based on facts and threats, not political convenience.
- Transparent – The process of adding individuals or groups to the UNSC terrorist list should be subject to scrutiny and fairness.
He warned that bias-driven policies create mistrust among nations and encourage extremist narratives that the West is unjustly targeting Islam.
Terrorism in the Digital Era
Another key concern raised by the Pakistani envoy was the expansion of terrorist activities into the digital realm.
- Extremist groups are now actively using social media platforms, encrypted apps, and artificial intelligence tools to recruit, indoctrinate, and mobilize young people.
- Vulnerable populations—especially marginalized youth—are easy targets for online radicalization.
- Terrorists exploit digital anonymity, making it harder for governments to track, regulate, and dismantle extremist networks.
The ambassador urged the global community to adopt innovative counter-terrorism strategies that tackle both offline and online threats, while also protecting fundamental human rights such as privacy and freedom of speech.
Pakistan’s Security Challenges
Highlighting Pakistan’s own experience, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar drew attention to the complex web of terrorist organizations operating in South Asia.
- Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP):
- The TTP has carried out hundreds of deadly attacks against Pakistan’s civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.
- Despite military operations, the group continues to find safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan.
- Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) & Majeed Brigade:
- These separatist outfits have carried out bombings, targeted killings, and attacks on economic projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- Pakistan accuses them of receiving foreign support to destabilize the country.
- ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K):
- Though based in Afghanistan, the group poses a cross-border threat, targeting civilians and spreading extremist propaganda.
The ambassador warned that these groups are not just threats to Pakistan but represent serious risks to regional and global peace.
Afghanistan’s Role in Cross-Border Terrorism
Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns that terrorist sanctuaries across the Afghan border are used to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
- While acknowledging that operations against ISIS-K are ongoing in Afghanistan, Pakistan claims that TTP and Baloch militants remain active in Afghan safe zones.
- Such activities undermine not only Pakistan’s national security but also regional stability, trade, and international cooperation.
The envoy urged the international community to hold Kabul accountable for dismantling these safe havens and preventing militant infiltration.
Direct Accusations Against India
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar also made serious allegations against India, accusing New Delhi of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and targeting Pakistani citizens globally.
- He referred to a deadly incident in May 2023, where 54 Pakistanis—including women and children—were killed in what he described as a state-sponsored terrorist attack orchestrated by India.
- The ambassador alleged that India funds and arms separatist movements in Balochistan and other regions to destabilize Pakistan internally.
- He condemned India’s “dangerous trend” of disguising state terrorism as counter-terrorism, urging the UNSC not to remain silent on this issue.
Global Terrorism: Beyond South Asia
The Pakistani diplomat reminded the UNSC that terrorism is not confined to one religion or one region.
- ISIS remains a major threat in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, with thousands of fighters still active.
- Far-right extremist groups in Europe and North America have carried out mass shootings, synagogue attacks, mosque bombings, and anti-immigrant violence.
- Militant organizations in Africa—such as Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab—continue to spread fear across Nigeria, Somalia, and neighboring regions.
He argued that ignoring these threats while overemphasizing Muslim-related terrorism damages the UNSC’s credibility and weakens the global anti-terrorism framework.
The Need for a Comprehensive and Fair Strategy
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar concluded by calling for a comprehensive, consistent, and fair global strategy against terrorism.
Key recommendations included:
- End Double Standards: Ensure that both Muslim and non-Muslim extremists are equally held accountable.
- Respect International Law: Counter-terrorism measures must comply with human rights standards and international legal frameworks.
- Promote Dialogue and Cooperation: Foster international partnerships that address root causes such as poverty, inequality, and political oppression.
- Protect Communities: Avoid stigmatizing specific religious or ethnic groups, as this only fuels extremist narratives.
Occupation, Oppression, and the Danger of Mislabeling
One of the most critical warnings from the Pakistani envoy was against mislabeling state oppression as counter-terrorism.
- He stressed that occupation, apartheid, and systematic oppression cannot be justified under the guise of counter-terrorism.
- This statement indirectly referred to conflicts like Palestine, Kashmir, and other occupied territories, where resistance movements are often portrayed as terrorist groups by occupying states.
According to him, if the UNSC allows such distortions, it will legitimize state terrorism and erode the moral foundations of global governance.
Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Collective Action
Pakistan’s powerful statement at the UNSC highlights a growing frustration among Muslim-majority nations about the biased application of global counter-terrorism policies.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar’s speech underscored:
- The urgent need to address double standards in terrorist designations.
- The importance of treating terrorism as a universal problem, not one linked to any single faith.
- The call for justice, fairness, and transparency in international counter-terrorism measures.
In closing, the envoy reminded the world that lasting global peace is possible only when terrorism is tackled collectively, impartially, and with respect for all nations and communities.
