TIANJIN: Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the assault on the Jaffer Express on March 11 and the bombing in Khuzdar on May 21.
In a joint declaration issued at the SCO summit, leaders described terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as unacceptable. They rejected double standards in counterterrorism efforts and urged the international community to step up cooperation against cross-border militancy.
The statement called on the United Nations to play a central role by fully implementing relevant Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It said collective action, in line with the UN Charter and international law, was necessary to combat all terrorist organizations.
Member states also underscored the urgency of adopting by consensus a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the strong language of the declaration as a “major diplomatic achievement” for Pakistan, saying it reinforced the country’s position on the need for global unity against terrorism and for action against its foreign sponsors.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Indian proxies, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, are operating in Balochistan. Last month, the US included the BLA in the global terrorist list.
