Afia Ambreen
Recently, the United Nations’ 1267 Sanctions Committee placed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar on its global terror list after China removed its objection to his listing. The committee on the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda announced in a press release the designation of Azhar over his organization’s ties to Al-Qaeda. It is important to mention that India had been seeking Azhar’s listing since 2016, but the latest push came after the Feb 14 Pulwama attack on the Central Reserve Police Force in India-held Kashmir, which was claimed by the JeM. The Indian resolution was backed by UNSC permanent members the US, United Kingdom and France. China had been halting the process by applying technical holds.
In this context, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said that Beijing removed its objections after the proposal was revised; following which Azhar’s listing went through. As per the statement of Chinese spokesman, China always believes that the relevant work should be carried out in an objective, unbiased and professional manner and based on solid evidence and consensus among all parties. On this listing issue, China has been communicating with relevant parties in a constructive and responsible fashion. Recently, relevant countries revised and re-submitted the materials for the listing proposal to the 1267 Committee. After careful study of the revised materials and taking into consideration the opinions of relevant parties concerned, China does not have objection to the listing proposal. The proper settlement of the above mentioned issue again shows that in international counter-terrorism cooperation, we have to uphold the rules and procedures of relevant UN body, follow the principle of mutual respect, resolve differences and build consensus through dialogue, and prevent politicizing technical issues.
Moreover, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal also confirmed that “Pakistan will immediately enforce the sanctions” imposed on the JeM leader “as it always does with UN” cases. FO spokesperson said, “This entails a ban on foreign travel, assets freeze and arms embargo” adding that Pakistan maintains that terrorism is a menace to the world, including the Indian state-sponsored terrorism against innocent Kashmiris in IOK. He further said that “the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee listing is governed by clear rules and its decisions are taken through consensus. Pakistan has always advocated the need for respecting these technical rules and has opposed the politicisation of the committee.
As expected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi describe it as “big success” for the country’s efforts to root out terrorism. Indian political parties as well as strategic affairs experts also hailed the UN action against Masood Azhar. But the truth of the matter is that earlier proposals to list Masood Azhar failed to generate the requisite consensus in the Sanctions Committee as the information did not meet its technical criteria. These proposals were aimed at maligning Pakistan and the legitimate struggle of the people of Indian occupied Kashmir and were thus rejected by Pakistan. The current listing has been agreed after all political references were removed, including attempts to link it with Pulwama and maligning the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiris in IOK for realization of the right to self-determination.
On the other hand, a Naxalites attack in India has killed 26 Commandoes; the hot air of Indian celebrations on listing of Masood Azhar will be taken out by this attack. These insurgencies indicate that people, nations and groups are not happy with Indian oppression and are fighting back. This is not the first incident of this nature. Every now and then, there appear news of killing of soldiers in north-eastern region. In fact, India is in a big mess; its internal decay is advancing at an alarming pace. The government’s authority is being challenged by the extremist forces, which have become more assertive and are able to impose their will on the State. Truly, these problems and threats are of absolutely indigenous nature. The country’s security agencies have failed to evolve a clear and comprehensive strategy to combat homegrown terrorism.
To conclude, it would be false and baseless on Indian media’s part to present the development as a victory for India and validation of its stance. Pakistan’s position is in line with the statements of Prime Minister Imran Khan who clearly stated that there is no space for any proscribed organisation or its affiliates to operate from Pakistani territory, our resolve for countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and our National Action Plan.
So, instead of blaming Pakistan for every ill that takes place in India, New Delhi should take steps to tackle terrorism in an efficient manner. Also, it is foolish to think that a country, with diverse cultures, many separatist movements and extremist Hindus, has terror threats only from Pakistan and not from within.
