Defeat terrorism

Terrorism is inadmissible and cannot be tolerated in any form. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as it hosted its virtual summit, was told by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that violence should be condemned in ‘clear and unambiguous terms.’ The region’s biggest geo-economic bloc was expressive as it deliberated over terrorism’s manifestations, and resolved to outlaw it from the body-politics of state-centrism. Pakistan pushed the envelope ahead by categorically saying that any temptation to terrorism as a cudgel for diplomatic point-scoring must be avoided under all circumstances. That made a strong point that Islamabad is sensitive to the cross-currents of violence and state-persecution being used as a ploy to further a nefarious agenda in the guise of international politics.

It is all the more important to understand that states’ often as an extension of their prowess and prestige indulge in grave human rights violations. This aspect was tongue-in-cheek articulately pointed out by the prime minister as he spelt out the persecution of religious minorities in India, especially Muslims, at the hands of a radical political thought process. He went on to remind the world of the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the War on Terrorism, and how it had braved storms for upholding peace and security in the region. The SCO as a mushrooming trade and technology umbrella for the developing world must concentrate on these aspects, and make it a preamble to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Only then can the member states and the world at large galvanise their strengths to usher in an era of progress and prosperity.

The SCO has a responsibility to deliver in the state-premise avenues. It must confront, challenge and combat the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism. That is because economic prosperity depends on societal peace and harmony among all the dwelling communities. Politics of appeasement is detrimental to collective security.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2023.

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