ISLAMABAD: Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday condemned in the strongest terms the “heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks” carried out across multiple locations in Balochistan on January 31, describing them as a “reprehensible act of terrorism”.
In a statement issued by Security Council President, Ambassador James Kariuki CMG of the United Kingdom, the Council urged all states, in line with their obligations under international law and relevant UN resolutions, to cooperate fully with Pakistan.
The Security Council members underscored the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the attacks accountable and bring them to justice.The Council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those injured.
Reiterating their long-standing position, the members of Security Council stressed that acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of motivation, timing, location or perpetrators. They reaffirmed the need for all states to combat terrorism by all lawful means, in accordance with the UN Charter and international obligations, including international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Core Group on Islamophobia met Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday. UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia and High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilisations, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, was also present.
According to a statement, issued by the OIC Core Group, discussions focused on preparations for the commemoration of UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia, to be observed on March 15, 2026.
Addressing the meeting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, recalled that the UN General Assembly, through Resolution 76/254, had unanimously proclaimed March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. He noted that the first commemoration was held in 2023 under Pakistan’s chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, followed by observances in 2024 and 2025.
Ambassador Asim highlighted the significance of the day for the OIC, describing it as a symbol of global solidarity against Islamophobia and appreciated the role of the UN Special Envoy in advancing international efforts to counter the phenomenon.
