"Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad,Permanent Representative of Pakistan,At the UNSC Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts(5 August 2026)*****Madam President,Allow me to begin by congratulating you on assuming the Presidency, and also convey our deep appreciation to the DRC for its excellent stewardship of the Council last month. I thank briefers from UNOCT and CTED for their insightful briefings. 2. We take note of the 23rd report of the Secretary General on the threat posed by ISIL (Daesh) to international peace and security. 3. Like other UN reports including the Monitoring Team, it is evident that while sustained counter-terrorism efforts have degraded Daeshs capabilities, the terrorist threat continues to evolve and adapt, particularly across parts of Africa, Middle East and Afghanistan. Daesh affiliates have shown considerable resilience and adaptability, capitalizing upon local dynamics in these regions.4. As noted in the report, ISIL-K has suffered setbacks including due to effective counter-terrorism actions by Pakistan. Nevertheless, ISIL-K continues to pose a significant concern particularly in Afghanistan.President,5. As the briefers said, acting alone, no State can effectively confront the transnational threat of terrorism. We echo the Secretary-Generals call for enhanced international cooperation, especially to counter increasing exploitation of emerging technologies by terrorist groups, including unmanned aerial systems, information and communication technologies, besides social media platforms and intelligence to recruit, radicalize, fund, and conduct terrorist operations. 6. Strengthening border management, law enforcement, capacity building and improved cooperation among Member States remain essential to addressing these terrorist threats that transcend national borders, including in the digital space. 7. We must also disrupt terrorist financing including through encrypted channels such as digital wallets, virtual assets and crypto currencies. 8. Equally important is preventing terrorist groups from accessing weapons, arms and ammunition that enhance their operational capability and lethality.Madam President, 9. The situation in Afghanistan remains deeply alarming. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, multiple terrorist groups continue to thrive in that country in an increasingly permissive environment. Safe havens are available inside Afghanistan to terrorist groups such as TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K and their affiliates, ETIM, and Al Qaeda affiliates.10. From Afghanistan, many of these terrorist groups recruit, train, plan and carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan, with impunity. They find active external support and financing from our eastern neighbour. Just this weekend, a suicide terrorist attack by the TTP in Swat tragically claimed the lives of 16 Pakistanis.11. We must effectively address this increasingly dangerous terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan. The Taliban must be held accountable to the obligation to ensure that Afghan territory is not used by any terrorist group to threaten or attack other States, including Pakistan. External sponsors of terrorism must also be held to account for supporting, financing and arming these proxies these terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Madam President, 12. A comprehensive international response to terrorism must address all its forms and manifestations including state terrorism that manifests itself particularly in situations of foreign occupation.13. Today, the 5th of August, marks a grim occasion - it is the seventh anniversary of the unlawful and unilateral measures imposed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). On this day, seven years ago, an occupied people, the Kashmiri people, enduring over seven decades of injustice, indignity, unfulfilled promises and denial of their Security Council-guaranteed fundamental right to self determination were subjected to a new wave of repression. A 900,000 strong Indian occupation force unleashed untold suffering on a hapless population a worst example of state terrorism. 14. We believe that there must be zero tolerance for such blatant perpetration of state terrorism in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and in other situations of foreign occupation. 15. Also, the international community must not allow counter-terrorism to be misused and abused as a pretext to suppress the internationally recognized and legitimate struggles of peoples against foreign occupation and for their inalienable right to self-determination.Madam President, 16. Terrorism can only be defeated through a comprehensive and coordinated international response, without double standards or selectivity by addressing the root causes and preventing politically motivated agendas that exploit situations to fuel terrorism. 17. Our response must also evolve corresponding to the changing landscape. The UN sanctions regimes and the CT architecture need to be reformed and updated, to enable the listing of all terrorist groups that pose a clear and present danger to societies. The Councils failure to address this gap would only incentivize those terrorist groups, and their unscrupulous sponsors, to continue wreaking havoc. President, 18. Terrorism knows no borders; it has no religion; and it threatens all of humanity alike. A concerted, multilateral effort, aimed at advancing practical and solution-oriented approach is the most effective way to comprehensively eradicate this scourge. Pakistan will remain a reliable partner in this collective endeavour.I thank you"