Islamabad: Pakistan has called upon the international community to join in making collaborative efforts to strengthen international partnership, dialogue, and cooperation to eliminate the menace of terrorism without discrimination and support the victims and their families, and to contribute to a peaceful and secure world. This statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad today on the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.

According to Radio Pakistan, this day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism, to honor their memory, and to reaffirm resolve to eliminate this menace in all its forms and manifestations. The Foreign Office highlighted that Pakistan has been a direct victim of terrorism, citing recent incidents such as the Jaffar Express attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar, which resulted in tragic loss of innocent lives. The statement emphasized that terrorism in Pakistan is often orchestrated and executed from across its borders.

The Foreign Office also pointed out that Pakistan is facing new forms of terrorism, including fake news and misinformation campaigns, state-sponsored extraterritorial assassination campaigns, and hydro-terrorism. Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s security forces and citizens have demonstrated remarkable resilience, making significant sacrifices to protect both national and regional peace.

With over 90,000 lives lost and economic damages exceeding US $150 billion, Pakistan continues to honor the valor of its martyrs and heroes, whose sacrifices are seen as a beacon of strength and unity. The statement also reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who face severe state-terrorism at the hands of Indian forces. The enduring struggles of the Kashmiri people for their UN-mandated right to self-determination were acknowledged.

Additionally, Pakistan extended tribute to the people of Palestine, who suffer from systemic human rights violations and state terrorism by Israeli occupation forces, actions that the statement described as grave violations of international law and amounting to genocide. The Foreign Office underscored that unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation, and denial of self-determination contribute to conditions fostering extremism and terrorism, necessitating comprehensive international efforts to address these issues.