Terrorism more complex now: Aziz

Blames the rise on home-grown terrorists, foreign fighters, IS and lone wolf attacks

ISLAMABAD: Terrorism has become more complex and gruesome despite global efforts to combat acts of extreme violence and terror over the past decade and a half, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday.

His remarks came at a retreat of the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting ASEM Summit in the Mongolian capital Ulaan Battor on Saturday. A Foreign Office statement issued said Aziz’s address was on defining the issue of global terrorism.



The two-day summit that opened July 15 was attended by leaders from Asia and Europe in Mongolia to discuss a wide range of regional and international issues.

Aziz in his address blamed the rise of terrorism on homegrown terrorists, foreign fighters, Islamic State and lone wolf attacks by radicalised youth. The statement quoted Aziz as saying that “the widespread use of social media by terrorists to spread their message was becoming a major problem”.

He reiterated that Pakistan, one of the biggest victims of terrorism, has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. Aziz said “the complexity of the challenge demands enhanced and shared understanding and deeper dialogue among countries, cultures and civilisations”. He underscored the need for addressing the root causes of terrorism as part of any strategy. Aziz said it was crucial to counter the root cause and to address the prolonged, unresolved conflicts such as Kashmir and Palestine.



At the conclusion of the summit, participating countries adopted the Ulaan Battor Declaration. Their leaders renewed their political will and strong resolve to work together to promote mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation between the two continents. The leaders from Asia and Europe adopted the resolution with a view to build a better future for the people of Asia and Europe.

The leaders and participating delegations attended the nomadic Naadam Festival, a traditional festival of Mongolia. They enjoyed the three traditional games — archery, wrestling and horse racing—at the festival.

On the occasion the adviser was presented with a horse, of native Mongolian breed, by the President of Mongolia. Aziz has named the horse as ‘Rustam’.

The summit was concluded with a gala dinner hosted by the president of Mongolia, which included a performance which celebrated the Mongolian culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2016.