Geneva: Pakistan’s role in regional terrorism discussed at UN
Experts at a UN side event in Geneva raised concerns over militant groups operating from Pakistan and their impact on regional stability and trade.
At a high-level side event held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, international experts and representatives raised pointed questions regarding the activities of militant organisations operating from Pakistani territory and their impact on regional security.
The event, titled “Fight Against Terrorism and Human Rights,” was organised by Interfaith International. It brought together a diverse panel of global voices to discuss the intersection of terrorism, religious minority rights, and the geopolitical implications of militant networks.
Concerns over militant networks and regional stability
During the discussions, Gary Cartwright, a prominent journalist and publisher, highlighted the profound human cost of terrorism. While acknowledging that Pakistan itself has been a victim of significant violence from groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Cartwright raised serious concerns about groups that allegedly use Pakistani soil to launch attacks in neighbouring countries, including India and Afghanistan.
Specific mention was made of organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, with the 2008 Mumbai attacks cited as a stark example of the international consequences of such militant activities. He warned that when terrorist networks are permitted to recruit and raise funds freely, the resulting instability quickly transcends national borders.
Transparency in religious education and EU funding
A significant portion of the debate focused on the role of religious seminaries, or madrassas, within Pakistan. Cartwright addressed the complexities of European Union-supported education programmes, noting that some students are enrolled in these seminaries.
He clarified that his stance was not an opposition to religious education itself, but rather a call for much greater transparency. He argued that there must be clear oversight regarding:
- How European funding is utilised.
- Who is responsible for administering these programmes.
- The specific curricula being taught.
- What safeguards are in place to prevent extremist recruitment.
The future of Pakistan's GSP+ trade status
The discussion took a sharp turn toward economic consequences, specifically regarding Pakistan’s access to the European Union’s preferential GSP+ trade arrangement. Cartwright questioned whether these trade benefits should continue without a rigorous assessment of Pakistan's compliance with international counter-terrorism obligations.
He suggested that the GSP+ preferences could be suspended pending a thorough review, emphasizing that the goal is not to penalise the Pakistani population, but to ensure that international trade is not decoupled from essential security safeguards.
Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
The event also addressed the specific situation in Jammu and Kashmir. A statement delivered by Professor K. Warikoo, Secretary General of the Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation, highlighted the impact of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on the people of the region.
Warikoo noted the significant transformations occurring in Jammu and Kashmir over the last 15 years and issued a direct call to the United Nations. He urged the international body to take a firmer stand against terrorism, specifically advocating for the seizure of bank accounts belonging to terrorists, militant organisations, and those who provide financial assistance to these groups.
The event was moderated by Biro Diawara, Secretary General of Interfaith International, and included participation from representatives of various nations, including Cyprus, Vietnam, Belgium, and Tanzania, as well as insights shared via video by Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakim from Iraq.