BEIJING: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday stressed that terrorism poses a global threat and should not be exploited for political purposes, as he addressed the Defence Ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Addressing the SCO defence ministers’ summit in Beijing, Asif strongly condemned the “unconstitutional and unprovoked” Israeli attacks on Iran.
He also voiced deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and denounced Israel’s ongoing aggression in the Middle East.
Calling for an immediate ceasefire, the Defence Minister urged the international community to act swiftly to end the violence against Palestinians and alleviate their suffering.
Reiterating Pakistan’s firm stance against terrorism, Asif called for coordinated global efforts to eliminate the menace.
He urged world leaders to resist politicising terrorism-related issues, stressing the importance of a united and impartial approach in addressing security challenges.
He said that Pakistan condemned all forms and manifestations of terrorism, including the attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“We call upon all states to hold these states and their state actions to account who planned, financed, and sponsored terrorist attacks such as Jaffar Express in Balochistan.”
The minister also referred to Pakistan’s operations against banned outfits such as TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army), and ISKP (Islamic State – Khorasan Province), and reaffirmed the country’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
The defence minister also mentioned India’s involvement in cross-border terrorism, and highlighted Pakistan’s arrest of a serving Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, “who confessed to financing, planning and perpetrating multiple terrorist attacks in Pakistan”.
Khawaja Asif added that long-standing disputes of Palestine and Kashmir were a threat to global peace.
He called for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute through dialogue, mediation, and diplomatic strategy.
He urged the global community to take measures to cease the long-standing disputes of Kashmir and Palestine.
Asif emphasised that Pakistan plays an active and essential role in promoting regional stability and fostering mutual cooperation within the SCO framework.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, the SCO Charter, and international law.
The minister also underscored that lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan are crucial for achieving regional harmony and realizing the SCO’s broader vision for collective security and development.
