Pakistan on course to defeating terrorism: Gen Qamar

PM, COAS pay tribute to victims of terrorism

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday paid tribute to the victims of terrorism on the 'International Day of Victims of Terrorism'.

The COAS, in a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said terrorism was a global menace and required collective response.

Pakistan, he said, had remained subjected to the threat for quite some time, especially during the last two decades. The "Pakistani nation and its armed forces have bravely and successfully stood up to this challenge and is on a positive trajectory to defeat it effectively," he added.

"We express solidarity with courageous families of the victims of terrorism, including security forces, who fought valiantly against it.

Our collective resolve shall defeat all inimical forces, which tried to push us towards darkness but are failing in the face of our national resilience and determination.

"We strongly condemn terrorism in all its manifestations and extend full support to all the forces of order and peace to bring enduring peace," the COAS said.



Meanwhile, in a press release, Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked the law enforcement agencies and armed forces for their sacrifices for Pakistan. He also praised the Pakistani nation’s unwavering resolve in the war against terrorism.

He stated that Pakistan will stand with the international community for the victims of terrorism.

The International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is marked by the United Nations the first time, according to a statement distributed by the UN news center in Cairo.

The General Assembly, in its resolution 72/165 (2017), established August 21 as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism in order to honor and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Resolution 72/165 builds on existing efforts by the General Assembly, the Commission of Human Rights and the Human Rights Council to promote and protect the rights of victims of terrorism.

By proclaiming an International Day dedicated to victims, the General Assembly reaffirmed that the promotion and the protection of human rights and the rule of law at the national; and international levels are essential for preventing and combating terrorism.

The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted unanimously in its resolution 60/288, on 8 September 2006, notes that the dehumanization of victims counts among the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, and the most effective way to counter terrorism is through measures that respect human dignity and uphold the rule of law.