Pak heading UNSC anti-terror panel is like making Masood Azhar professor of peace: India
In a recent development that has sparked outrage and disbelief, Pakistan has been appointed as the chair and co-chair of key counter-terrorism bodies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This move has been vehemently criticized by India, with Shiv Sena-UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, a member of the all-party delegation in Germany, calling it “absurd” and “ridiculous”.
As reported by ANI, Chaturvedi stated, “But they have been given the vice chairmanship of counter-terrorism. It’s like making Masood Azhar a professor of global peace…It needs to be called out.” Her comments are a stark reminder of the stark contrast between Pakistan’s actions and its newfound role in fighting terrorism.
For those who may not be aware, Masood Azhar is a notorious terrorist leader who was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed the lives of over 160 people. His organization, Jaish-e-Mohammed, has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in India and other parts of the world. The fact that Pakistan has failed to take concrete action against him and other terrorists operating from its soil is a well-documented fact.
The appointment of Pakistan as chair and co-chair of key counter-terrorism bodies at the UNSC is therefore seen as a mockery of the global fight against terrorism. It is a slap in the face of nations that have been victims of terrorist attacks and have been working tirelessly to combat this menace.
But Pakistan’s actions are not limited to its appointment to these key positions. The country has a long history of providing safe haven to terrorist organizations and individuals. According to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, 52 global terrorists reside in Pakistan, making it a hotbed of terrorist activity.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies have been accused of providing support and shelter to terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The country’s failure to take action against these groups has been a major obstacle in the global fight against terrorism.
The appointment of Pakistan to these key positions at the UNSC is therefore a clear indication of the United Nations’ failure to hold countries accountable for their actions. It is a message that terrorism is okay as long as you have the right connections and are willing to play by the rules.
But India is not the only country that is outraged by this development. Other nations that have been victims of terrorism have also expressed their disappointment and frustration. The United States, for example, has been vocal about its concerns over Pakistan’s failure to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
In a statement, the US State Department said, “We are concerned that Pakistan’s membership on the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee may undermine the committee’s effectiveness in combating terrorism. We urge Pakistan to take concrete steps to address the safe haven issue and to work with the international community to combat terrorism.”
The appointment of Pakistan to these key positions at the UNSC is a major setback for the global fight against terrorism. It is a reminder that the United Nations is still a long way from being an effective body in combating this menace.
As Priyanka Chaturvedi so aptly put it, “It’s like making Masood Azhar a professor of global peace…It needs to be called out.” It is time for the international community to take a stand against Pakistan’s actions and to demand that the country take concrete steps to combat terrorism.
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