Pakistan primary victim of terrorism: Sharif

Describing Pakistan as the "primary victim" of terrorism, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today vowed to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations irrespective of who their sponsors are.
"Pakistan is the primary victim of terrorism. We have lost thousands of lives including civilians and soldiers to terrorist violence," Sharif said in his address to the General Debate of the 70th session UN General Assembly here.
He said that the blood that has been shed, including that of innocent children, "has reinforced our resolve to eliminate this scourge from our society."
"We will fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of who their sponsors are," he said.

Citing 'Zarb-e-Azb', Pakistan's largest anti-terrorism campaign against terrorists, involving over 180,000 security forces, Sharif said it has made substantial progress in "cleansing our country" of all terrorists and will conclude only when his objective has been accomplished.
He added that the operation is complemented by an all-inclusive National Action Plan that encompasses police and security actions, political and legal measures and social and economic policy packages, aimed at countering violent extremism.

"The global threat of terrorism cannot be defeated unless we address its underlying causes. Poverty and ignorance are part of the problem. Extremist ideologies must be opposed," he said.

He, however, stressed that the narrative of the terrorists also has to be countered through the just resolution of the several instances of oppression and injustice against Muslims in various parts of the world.
"Unfortunately, some seek to use the global campaign against terrorism to suppress the legitimate right of occupied peoples to self-determination," he said.
Sharif said that the rise and spread of terrorism across the Middle East also poses unprecedented security challenges.
"Wracked by violence, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and the rise of Daesh, several countries of the region are today the vortex of conflict and instability. Others are being sucked into this quagmire," he said.

Noting that the tragedy of Palestine has intensified, Sharif said the accepted avenue for peace between Palestine and Israel - a two-state solution - appears "further away today" than ever before, due to the intransigent stance of the occupying power.
He expressed hope that the raising of the Palestinian flag at the world body's headquarters "is just the first step" and Pakistan looked forward to welcoming Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.