Government calls for global action against terrorism

AI Summary

Pakistani leadership calls for unified global action against terrorism, emphasizing the severe human, economic, and social toll on Pakistan. They urge international community cooperation and comprehensive victim rehabilitation efforts to eradicate terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari called for unified global action against terrorism and stressed that no territory was used for terrorism against another country. The two leaders made these assertions in their separate messages on the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, which is observed annually on August 21 to honour and support the victims of terrorism. In his message, shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan was joining the international community in observing this day dedicated to remembering the victims of terrorism and extended its “heartfelt solidarity and tribute to all those who had suffered from this scourge”. He noted that terrorism remained one of the most serious challenges confronting humanity. “Only those devoid of humanity can inflict suffering and play with the lives of innocent people to pursue their nefarious objectives. The families of those who have lost their lives to terrorism, as well as those who have sustained lifelong injuries, equally deserve our compassion and solidarity,” he added. The premier said Pakistan was among the countries that had suffered immensely from terrorism. “Not only have our valiant armed forces made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against this scourge, but the brave officers and personnel of our law enforcement agencies, as well as our countless innocent citizens, have also laid down their lives. “We salute the courage and sacrifice of all those civilians and security personnel who have lost their lives in acts of terrorism,” he said. He highlighted that Pakistan had also paid a “heavy economic and social price” in the fight against terrorism. “Terrorism has adversely affected the economic well-being of our people and hindered Pakistan’s journey towards development, progress and prosperity. With our unwavering national resolve, Pakistan will continue this struggle until this menace is completely eradicated,” he said. The prime minister added, “No nation, civilisation, religion or faith in the world advocates terrorism. Acts of terrorism are a manifestation of diseased minds and an expression of inhuman ideologies.” He stressed that “unconditional condemnation” of terrorism by the international community, coupled with effective mutual cooperation, was indispensable for the complete eradication of terrorism. The prime minister further noted that the physical, psychological and social rehabilitation of victims of terrorism was also part of shared global responsibility and said that the government, despite its limited resources, consistently remained mindful of the welfare and needs of the victims of terrorism and the law enforcement personnel engaged in combating this menace. “Pakistan has a comprehensive support system in place for martyrs, their families and victims of terrorism. Ensuring that all victims have easy and timely access to healthcare, rehabilitation and essential civic services remains a foremost priority of the government,” he said. He called upon relevant institutions at the global, national, collective and individual levels to raise their voices against terrorism, subversion and all negative tendencies, while upholding universal human values and the rule of international law. President’s message In his message, shared by the Presidency on X, President Zardari expressed solidarity with the survivors of terrorism, their families and communities whose lives had been forever changed by violence. Echoing PM Shehbaz’s words, he too said that Pakistan had paid an “enormous price” in the fight against terrorism. “For more than two decades, tens of thousands of our people, including children, political leaders, members of the armed forces, law enforcement personnel, first responders and public servants, have lost their lives. “From Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to the innocent children and teachers of Army Public School Peshawar, and countless other Pakistanis, terrorism has inflicted wounds that remain part of our national memory,” he added, particularly mentioning the assassination of his late wife and former prime minister Benazir in 2007 and a deadly Army Public School attack in 2014 that claimed nearly 150 lives. Even today, he said, “our citizens and security personnel continue to make sacrifices, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. We salute their courage and stand with every family that has lost a loved one to terrorism”. He stressed that no religion, faith, sect, ideology, grievance, cause or political objective could justify the killing of innocent people. “Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned without distinction. The international community must ensure that no territory is used to perpetrate terrorism against another country and that no terrorist organisation receives sanctuary, financing, weapons, logistical assistance or any other form of externa