UNITED NATIONS, Oct 7: Pakistan on Thursday warned the world community that the campaign against terrorism should not be allowed to be used as a cover to suppress the legitimate struggles of peoples for self-determination or against foreign occupation or to continue the massive violation of human rights.

Addressing the UN General Assembly’s legal matters (sixth) committee on the “Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram observed: “We have witnessed in our region the large scale murder and violence by state forces against innocent civilians striving for their right to self-determination.”

“The killing of innocent civilians is abhorrent whether committed by individuals, groups or states. We have witnessed in our region the large-scale murder and violence by state forces against innocent civilians striving for their right to self-determination. This form of terrorism has not yet ended,” Mr Akram stressed.

Underscoring that “international terrorism constitutes one of the most pervasive threats we confront today, as it emanates from virtually all societies. Claims of immunity from this phenomenon mask the truth,” Mr Akram said “the need for all states to work together, in a coordinated and cooperative manner, to address this menace comprehensively in all its forms and manifestations, was never as acute as today.”

Pointing out that “Pakistan has been a major target of terrorism,” he said “for decades, we faced state-sponsored terrorism designed to destabilize our country. Such mischief has not ended.”