Pakistan pledges total annihilation of terrorists as it counters their 'savage' attacks

UNITED NATIONS: A senior Pakistani diplomat has pledged the total annihilation of terrorism from his country as he denounced the "heinous and barbaric" attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, killing over 100 children.

"The terrorist attacked our children and hit our heart ... now we will go for their jugular", Ambassador Sahebzada Ahmed Khan told the UN Security Council on Friday.

"Let me convey this message today that we will defeat terrorism," he declared, while speaking in a debate on 'Terrorism and Cross-Border Crime.'

"Pakistan will prevail, no matter what; and our mourning will only morph into a stronger resolve to fight back, even harder," the Pakistani envoy told delegates from around the world.

Reflecting on the heroic response of the teachers, the children and the lady principal of the school, who had chosen to stay back and help each other instead of simply saving their own lives, Ahmed Khan said in a voice chocked with emotion, "This is my nation. These are my people. And it is a matter of pride for me to represent such a resilient nation at the United Nations."

Pakistan, he said, possesses unyielding resolve, a clear mind and a hand to execute affirmative actions. "We will persist and persevere till the end of this blight. After all, Pakistan has been, since long, spearheading the international fight against terrorism."

"Pakistan mourns today but we will, Insha'Allah, ensure the total annihilation of terrorists and their twisted ideologies," Amed Khan added.

Turning to the subject of the debate, the Pakistani envoy said there was a difference between cross-border crime and cross-border organized crime. Nevertheless, recognizing that terrorists could take advantage of a lack of border controls, he said he fully subscribed to the need for border control mechanisms.

States bore the primary responsibility for taking effective measures against terrorism, he said. Bilateral, regional, and international cooperation, including exchange of information, was crucial. Strategies to counter transnational organized crimes needed to be tailored to their peculiar regional contexts. It was also vital to build the capacities of States facing those challenges.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "We will continue to cooperate and coordinate with the international community in addressing the challenges emanating from factors that complicate our fight against this scourge, including trans-national organized crimes.

"We believe that international measures taken in this regard must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity of States; and should aim to avoid duplication of work undertaken by various UN agencies and organizations."

At the same time, he said, all international efforts should respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.