Qureshi reiterates Pakistan's commitment towards elimination of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday reiterated Pakistan's commitment for joint international efforts to eliminate the menace of terrorism and taking joint actions to extend support to those who have been the victims of terrorism.

The foreign minister stated this in a statement on the eve of "International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism".

"On the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, I express my solidarity with the victims of terrorism and their families," Qureshi said.

On its part, he added that the government of Pakistan stands with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

"Let us commit to showing them that they are not alone, and that the international community stands in solidarity with them, wherever they may be," the foreign minister said.

He pointed out that for the last two decades the people of Pakistan have suffered the most from terrorism, adding that we have lost more than 70,000 lives and suffered economic loss of over $120 billion.

Thousands of valiant soldiers and law enforcement officials have laid down their lives in defending the motherland, he added.

He also thanked Pakistani citizens and families of martyrs of the law enforcement agencies and armed forces who have rendered immense sacrifices for the freedom, safety and security of Pakistan and its people.

"The government and people of Pakistan will never forget their sacrifice," he added.

Despite these losses, Qureshi added that Pakistan's resolve to fight terrorism remains unwavering.

In the face of every tragedy, he added that the resilient Pakistani nation has shown that the values of enlightenment, compassion and empathy that bind us together are much stronger than the forces of intolerance, hatred, and violence that aim to divide.

"As we commemorate this day, we must also remember and venerate the victims of the worst form of state terrorism perpetrated by India against innocent people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)," Qureshi added.

Since 1990, he pointed out that India's occupation army has martyred over 100,000 Kashmiris, widowed over 22,000 women, orphaned around 108,000 children and raped more than 11,000 women.

"India's state terrorism has intensified since 5 August 2019 military siege of 8 million Kashmiris in the valley, with the imprisonment of political leaders; the abduction and torture of 13,000 Kashmiri youth; brutal force against peaceful protesters; collective punishments and extra-judicial killings," he said.

He added that the international community should seek to prosecute the Indian civil and military personnel involved in the state terrorism and serious crimes against humanity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020