Mumtaz Hussain
NEW YORK: At the launch of the “Victims of Terrorism Association Network” at the United Nations, a sharp reaction was expressed by Pakistan to baseless remarks made by an Indian delegate.
Jawad Ajmal, Counsellor at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, strongly rejected what he termed “baseless allegations” by India and redirected global attention to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“We have heard what one delegation has mentioned; yet they very comfortably conceal the fact that the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) deserve our special attention for their continuing sufferings as victims fighting the worst form of state terrorism, unleashed by the Indian state machinery with an occupation force of 900,000 troops,” Mr Ajmal stated.
He urged the international community to hold India accountable for what he described as “crimes against humanity” in the disputed region, reiterating Pakistan’s call for implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, including the conduct of a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir.
Mr Ajmal concluded by asserting that no statements could conceal what he called the ongoing oppression in Kashmir, nor justify what Pakistan considers illegal actions carried out by a “state sponsor of terrorism.”
The exchange underscores the enduring tension between the two South Asian neighbors over the contested territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a dispute that continues to draw international concern.
Calls for global action against state-sponsored terrorism
Meanwhile, Pakistan accused a regional adversary of sponsoring a deadly terrorist attack on the Jaffer Express train, which claimed the lives of over 30 civilians and left dozens injured or taken hostage.
The statement was made by Counsellor Jawad Ajmal at the United Nations during the launch of the “Victims of Terrorism Association Network.”
Mr Ajmal said Pakistan had credible evidence linking the attack to external sponsorship, and urged the international community to support victims of terrorism and their families.
“The world must hold terrorists and their sponsors accountable and adopt a consistent, victim-centric approach, free from political selectivity,” he said.
Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing stance, Mr Ajmal emphasized that terrorism in all its forms — including state-sponsored terrorism, right-wing extremism, and Islamophobia — must be condemned. He also warned against the misuse of new technologies, such as social media and the dark web, which he said are being weaponized to spread hate and incite violence.
He stressed the importance of reaching a global consensus on the definition of terrorism, one that reflects current trends and emerging threats. “We cannot allow narrow geopolitical agendas to undermine efforts to fight terrorism. The more terrorism there is, the more victims there will be,” he warned.
The Pakistani representative also addressed the recent attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, expressing condolences to the victims and joining UN Security Council members in condemning the violence.
Mr Ajmal underscored that Pakistan has suffered immensely from terrorism, with over 80,000 lives lost in the past two decades. “Despite the pain, our nation stands resilient,” he said, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement personnel.
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