Statement by Ambassador Raza Bashir Tarar, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, on the Third Review of the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy (New York, 28 June 2012)

Mr. President,

We are deeply appreciative of the efforts made by the Permanent Representative of Canada, H.E. Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, facilitator of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy review consultations for a consensus resolution on the review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

  1. Pakistan delegation associates itself with the statement made by the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Mr. President,

  1. Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomsoever, wherever, and against whomsoever. We also condemn murder of civilians in all parts of the world, whether motivated by ideological differences or use of disproportionate force against soft targets. Terrorism and extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, race, ethnicity, faith, value system, culture or society.
  2. Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Coherence and coordination are necessary for the success of this fight. Accordingly, Pakistan supports the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy and its balanced implementation that addresses the root causes of the terrorism including prolonged unresolved conflicts, unlawful use of force, aggression, foreign occupation, denial of the right of peoples living under foreign occupation to self-determination, political and economic injustices, political marginalization and alienation.

Mr. President,

  1. The promotion of international counter terrorism cooperation is a noble goal. Pakistan fulfills its international obligations, particularly its commitment to implement various conventions on counter terrorism, with great responsibility. We have ratified 10 out of 13 UN Conventions relating to terrorism. Besides, we are signatory to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 2000 (Palermo Convention). Pakistan has become a party to the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and has enacted a landmark Anti Money Laundering Bill. A Financial Monitoring Unit has been established in the State Bank of Pakistan to monitor suspicious financial transactions. Recently, 64 additional Bank accounts and Pak Rupees 750.8 million have been frozen. We cooperate consistently with friends and allies to implement all the four pillars of the Strategy.
  2. Pakistan has deployed 160,000 troops on its border with Afghanistan and has set up 822 border posts to interdict Al-Qaida/Taliban members.

Mr. President,

  1. Over the six years since adoption of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, we have realized that the Strategy in itself will be of little value unless it is implemented in all its aspects. We are of the view that the implementation of the Strategy in the following areas would redound to the benefit of the Third Review.
    • First, one pillar of the Strategy underlines the need to settle prolonged unresolved conflicts. Addressing festering disputes would go a long way in impressing the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts;
    • Second, the Strategy addresses the problem of defamation of religion. Such bigotry plays into the hands of terrorists while exacerbating intra and inter-state differences. In today’s globalized world, the need for understanding, harmony and building of bridges among all cultures and peoples is greater than ever; and
    • Third, the Strategy also addresses the need to promote economic and social development to help curb extremism and terrorism. Socio-economic marginalization is a leading cause of increasing terrorism’s appeal. The international community should place high priority on balanced social-economic development of regions vulnerable to terrorism.

Mr. President,

  1. Pakistan sees the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its four pillars as work in progress. The Strategy must be updated and revised substantively and regularly in the light of new developments. For instance, it is a lacuna that the review resolution does not take note of the emerging trend of home-grown radicals misguided by propaganda facilitated by information and communication technology advances.
  2. The consensus resolution on the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy has highlighted the need to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and observance of the rule of law while countering terrorism. Rule of law is indeed an antidote to terrorism provided it is observed ungrudgingly at both the national and international levels. Fair prosecution and conviction of terrorists in courts of law would be more effective than eliminating them through extrajudicial means. Such cavalier approach to human life only feeds extremism.
  3. We would also like to express our support for the continuation of reform in procedures of the Security Council Committees to ensure due process and promotion of transparency. We welcome the recent efforts made by the Council in this regard. We expect that the process of reform will continue for further improvement of procedures.
  4. The United Nations has a special role in promoting international cooperation in the field of counter terrorism. The UN and its counter terrorism bodies need inter-agency coordination, policy coherence and closer cooperation with each other. We have noted that the Secretary General, in his report A/66/762, has proposed the creation of a UN Counter-Terrorism Coordinator position. We are of the view that modalities of concretizing the proposal need further elaboration and due deliberation by Member States on various aspects of the proposal. While supporting the institutional coherence of the UN, we also emphasize the importance of respecting mandates of various bodies of the UN.

I thank you Mr. President.