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Why is Pakistan trying to justify terrorism under the guise of a “freedom struggle” at the UN? India exposes Islamabad’s double standards, highlighting Pakistan’s role as a major global terrorism hub and its violations of international law.
India condemns Pakistan’s attempt to legitimize terrorism at UN.
New York: India has criticized Pakistan at the United Nations for trying to rebrand cross-border terrorism as a legitimate "freedom struggle." The Indian delegation condemned Pakistan’s efforts to label terrorists as "freedom fighters," calling it blatant hypocrisy and a dangerous distortion of international norms.
During a recent UN interactive dialogue on counter-terrorism, Muhammad Jawad Ajmal, a counsellor at Pakistan’s UN Mission, argued that there should be a distinction between terrorism and the "legitimate right of people to resist foreign occupation." However, India strongly rejected this, asserting that terrorism remains an unacceptable violation of human rights and international law.
Raghoo Puri, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, denounced Pakistan’s narrative as “doublespeak and hypocrisy.” He pointed out that Pakistan is widely recognized as a global terrorism hub with direct links to multiple terror attacks worldwide targeting innocent civilians.
“Terrorism is among the gravest offenses against humanity. It embodies violence, intolerance, and fear, and terrorists represent the worst form of humankind,” Puri stated emphatically, highlighting Pakistan’s continued support for terrorist groups as proof of its duplicity.
Ajmal’s attempt to invoke international law to justify terrorism was also rebutted by India. Pakistan’s representative cited UN General Assembly resolution 46/51, claiming it endorsed distinguishing terrorism from liberation struggles. However, India pointed out that the 1991 resolution clearly condemns all forms of terrorism unequivocally, without exceptions.
India reminded the UN that multiple international frameworks—including the 1994 General Assembly declaration, the 2004 Security Council resolution, and the 1999 International Convention Against Financing Terrorism—reject any justification for acts designed to provoke terror, regardless of political or ideological motives.
India called Pakistan a global terrorism hub and the worst violator of human rights.
The debate also highlighted Pakistan’s role as a persistent violator of human rights, especially through its support for terrorism. India’s delegation underscored that Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism continues to threaten regional and global security, making it a major offender in the international community.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s objection to India’s counterterrorism measures was dismissed as baseless. India reaffirmed that combating terrorism is essential to protect human rights and ensure peace, emphasizing that Pakistan itself is the primary abettor of terror activities.
Efforts to finalize a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, a proposal put forward by India, have been stalled for nearly two decades due to Pakistan and a few other countries seeking to classify terrorists as “freedom fighters.” This has prevented the UN from adopting a unified definition and effective measures against terrorism.
India continues to push for a strong, consensus-based approach to combat terrorism without exceptions, warning that the selective shielding of terrorist groups only emboldens violence and destabilizes peace efforts.
