Pakistan Voices Concerns Over Islamophobia at UNSC

Pakistan has raised its concerns at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the increasing prevalence of right-wing extremism and movements, as well as what it describes as the problematic demonization of Islam and Muslims.

During a UNSC session focused on threats to global peace and security resulting from acts of terrorism, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador, Asim Iftikhar, stated, “It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that every name on the Security Council’s terrorism watchlists is Muslim, while terrorists and violent extremists of other backgrounds avoid scrutiny. The lists are exclusively Muslim.”

Ambassador Iftikhar advocated for essential changes to the sanctions regimes to appropriately address new and evolving threats. He emphasized the necessity to “put an end to the stigmatization of Islam and Muslims.”

“We need to recognize the truth. There has been a marked increase in the rise of extremist and fascist movements in several countries and regions internationally, which has contributed to terrorist violence,” Iftikhar noted.

The Pakistani envoy commented, “However, there appears to be a tendency to regard acts committed by non-Muslims as something other than terrorism, often labeling them simply as violent crime.”

The diplomat stressed that this situation goes against the UN and UNSC’s established stance that terrorism is a global issue and should not be linked to any specific religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar mentioned that India, Pakistan’s primary adversary, is actively involved in sponsoring terrorism within Pakistan, stating that New Delhi funds and provides support to terrorist groups.

He stated that terrorism within and originating from Afghanistan presents the most significant threat to the country, the broader region, and the world. He also added that threats from various terrorist entities, like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch terror groups, which have sought refuge in Afghanistan’s ungoverned territories, remain unresolved.

Iftikhar emphasized that for Pakistan, the danger is serious and immediate, adding that the TTP, which consists of approximately 6,000 fighters, represents the largest UN-designated terrorist group operating from within Afghan territory.

“With safe havens near our borders, our national security is under direct threat,” Iftikhar remarked.

He further asserted that there is credible evidence of collaboration between the TTP, the BLA, and the Majeed Brigade, including shared terrorist training camps, targeting strategic infrastructure, economic projects in Pakistan, and the people of Pakistan.

The envoy stressed that Islamabad condemns terrorism in all its forms, noting that very few countries have done as much for the global counter-terrorism efforts as Pakistan.

“Pakistan has been at the forefront on both counts — with 80,000 casualties and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses; Pakistan’s sacrifices are unmatched, and so is our determination to eradicate this threat,” he concluded.