Pakistan's policy on terrorism, foreign occupation remains unchanged

ISLAMABAD: “Pakistan’s policy on terrorism and foreign occupation remains unchanged. We regret that certain media circles through a quaint spin have tried to distort and misrepresent Pakistan’s position on the subject. This also misinterprets the OIC and international consensus on counterterrorism and foreign occupation.”

This was said on Tuesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson in response to questions from media regarding Pakistan’s position on terrorism and foreign occupation.

“During the UN Security Council briefing on ‘Threats to international peace & security caused by terrorist acts’ held on February 10, the permanent representative of Pakistan said: “We must address the root causes of terrorism that include poverty, injustice and prolonged unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation and denial of the right to self-determination to peoples under colonial and foreign domination and alien rule, such as in the occupied territories of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir. Without addressing the root causes, we can hope for little success if our focus remains restricted to the consequences of such policies.”

The spokesperson said Pakistan and the OIC had long emphasized the need for a comprehensive counterterrorism approach that addressed the root causes of terrorism including conflict resolution, end of foreign occupation, opposition to oppression and efforts to eradicate poverty while promoting sustainable economic growth and development. This stance also aligns with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/288 on the Global Counterterrorism Strategy. Moreover, alongside the OIC, Pakistan has consistently maintained that any definition of terrorism must clearly distinguish between acts of terrorism and legitimate struggles of peoples under foreign or colonial occupation for self-determination and national liberation.