UNITED NATIONS, Sept 14: Pakistan on Monday decried that the attempts to "identify terrorism with Islam are unfair and counter-productive," noting that "unwittingly, they accord terrorists an ideological respectability they do not deserve."

"They intensify hostility. They weaken those who propagate moderation, enlightenment and cooperation", underscored Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram while addressing the United Nations Security Council which discussed a briefing by its Chairman on Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee."

Saying that the global cooperation against terrorism has been highly successful, Mr Akram asserted that "determined and collective action had contained and disrupted the violent agendas of the terrorists."

However, he said that the immediate anti-terrorist response must be accompanied by a clear, long-term strategy for success in ensuring an end to this murderous tactic.

He proposed that such a strategy must include the following elements:

a. A consensus on a definition of terrorism,

b. De-legitimizing the terrorist's cause by addressing issues such as foreign occupation, the denial of self-determination, military intervention and the use of force.

c. Addressing the broader and structural issues including political and economic injustices.

d. Ensuring that counter-terrorism does not violate fundamental human rights or provoke a clash of cultures.

Noting that terrorism perpetrated by individuals, groups or states, poses an ever present threat to many countries, Mr Akram pointed out: Today, terrorism also threatens Pakistan's vital national interests and objectives. We have participated actively in the unprecedented global campaign against terrorism.

"Pakistan has led the way in capturing the majority of leadership of the Al Qaeda and over 500 terrorists. Our campaign against the terrorists is ongoing on the Afghan-Pakistan border, in bilateral cooperation with major powers, and within the United Nations. Our actions have naturally attracted increased terrorist attacks including against our president and prime minister," he said.

He said: "The campaign against terrorism must be pursued with full comprehension of the threat and a clear strategy for success." "Terrorism continues to be a global threat requiring a coordinated international response. The monitoring teams report indicates that Al Qaeda has evolved into a global network of groups - unbound by structure but held together by a set of overlapping ideological goals."

It appears from the report that this evolving network generally avoids using conventional means of finance, travel or arms acquisition. This underscores the need for a matching response to prevent future terrorist attacks," he added.