Pakistan to join SCO fight against terrorism: FS

ISLAMABAD: In the backdrop of eight regional flags representing nations of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in a bid to boost counter-terrorism cooperation, Pakistan sent a loud and clear message that fighting terrorism “cannot and should not be identified with any religion, individual country or nationalities”.

Pakistan remains determined that it will join hands with SCO to fight the “three evils” of terrorism, extremism and separatism. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Wednesday inaugurated the three-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation-Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS) with a forceful address.

Legal experts from the eight member states including India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan as well as representatives of the SCO and RATS Executive Committee are participating in the meeting. “Pakistan would continue to complement these efforts. We support SCO consensus that as we engage in the fight against terrorism, we must respect norms and principles of international law, UN Charter and shun “double standards”. Terrorism cannot and should not be identified with any religion, individual country or nationalities”, Tehmina Janjua pointed out.

For Pakistan SCO is an organisation that offers a unique new model of inter-state cooperation for peace, security, connectivity and sustainable development, she said. Pakistan with its vast experience, which even US and British generals are pointing out as lessons how to win battles on the ground against terrorism, the success has come with high costs. “Pakistan is cognizant of the threats posed by terrorism, separatism and extremism to our region and beyond. Having fought terrorism, we have lost thousands of our citizens and law enforcement personnel, with many more injured. We have also suffered economic losses of over US $120 billion”, said the Foreign Secretary. Bilateral relations apart, India’s presence is a reminder that no country is immune to the threat from terrorism, extremism and separatism and it is only through regional efforts that such battles can be fought, not by shunning neighbourly cooperation.

Pakistan terms SCO-RATs an ideal forum for exchange of views and best practices on countering terrorism and extremism. “We hope that other member states can benefit from our rich experience in countering terrorism and extremism as we do from the good practices developed by other SCO members”, added Janjua. She explained that Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Policy focuses on the Rule of Law, Service Delivery, Citizens Engagement, Media Engagement, Integrated Education Reform, Reformation, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Renunciation of terrorism by extremist elements and promotion of culture as its major facets.

“But neither the human nor financial losses have diminished my country’s resolve to fight this menace. Through our comprehensive efforts, over the past several years, supported by a firm domestic political consensus, we have been able to turn the tide”, Janjua said. The SCO delegates were also reminded that the organisation holds tremendous potential for connectivity, trade, energy and economic development. It can lead to progress and prosperity for our entire region. “With a consumer market of over 200 million people, vast business potential and a rapidly modernising infrastructure, Pakistan offers SCO enormous opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation”, she said. Pakistan’s historical and cultural ties, as well as strong economic and strategic links with SCO members, can act as an enabler in realising the SCO’s vision.