Pakistan for building states' capacity to combat terrorism

: Pakistan has underscored the need for capacity building of states as part of the United Nations' counter-terrorism efforts.

"Our efforts against terrorism would make a difference on the ground only when capacity building needs of states are met," the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted Masood Khan, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, as saying Monday.

The Pakistani envoy praised Saudi Arabia's contribution of $100 million for UN's counter-terrorism projects, saying it helps address the funding deficit.

"This raises our hopes and ambitions in many areas," Masood said at a meeting of the advisory board of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).

The UNCCT, based at the UN headquarters in New York, was launched in 2011 with the help of a voluntary contribution from the Saudi government, the APP reported.

Operating under the UN secretary general and the umbrella of the Department of Political Affairs, the centre contributes to the implementation of the 2006 UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and engages with over 30 entities with expertise on a wide range of counter-terrorism-related subjects.

"The work of the centre is now on track," Masood Khan said.

"The focus of projects is essentially on promoting consensus and international cooperation. We are glad that instead of initiating grand plans, doable and action-oriented projects in the area of capacity building figure prominently in next year's programme of work," he said.