India's Defence Minister Criticizes Pakistan's Role in Global Terrorism
Rajnath Singh's Strong Remarks on UNSC Decision
On Tuesday, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his disapproval regarding the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) decision to appoint Pakistan as the vice-chair of its counter-terrorism panel. Singh remarked that this decision is akin to allowing a cat to guard the milk, given Pakistan's notorious history of harboring and supporting terrorists. He voiced his astonishment at the UNSC's choice, noting that the counter-terrorism panel was established in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, during which Pakistan provided refuge to the mastermind behind those attacks. The country has been known to use its territory as a safe haven for global terrorist organizations.
Concerns Over Pakistan's Terrorism Support
Speaking at an event in Dehradun, Singh highlighted that notorious terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar roam freely in Pakistan, with senior military officials even attending the funerals of these terrorists. He questioned how the international community could expect leadership against terrorism from a nation with such a track record. Singh pointed out that Pakistan is set to chair the Taliban sanctions committee of the UNSC in 2025 and will also serve as the vice-chair of the 1373 counter-terrorism committee, which comprises 15 nations.
He emphasized that Pakistan has consistently provided shelter and training to terrorists, citing the Pahalgam attack as just one example of the extensive list of terrorist activities supported by Pakistan.
The Need to Combat Terrorism
Singh further stated that Pakistan continually attempts to justify terrorism, making it crucial to dismantle not only the terrorists themselves but also the entire support structure behind them. He asserted that a significant portion of Pakistan's foreign aid is utilized to fund its support for terrorism. "Funding Pakistan means financing the infrastructure of terrorism. Pakistan is a nursery for terrorism and should not be nurtured," Singh concluded.