Pakistan reaffirms resolve to combat terrorism on victims’ remembrance day: MoFA

Pakistan reaffirmed its resolve to combat terrorism and paid tribute to victims and survivors as the world observed the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Friday.

In a post on X, MoFA said Pakistan joined nations around the world in observing the day, describing it as an occasion not only for ceremony but also for “honest reckoning and commemoration” of lives sacrificed in the fight against terrorism and the cost borne by victims’ families.

“It is also a moment to reflect and renew our unflinching resolve for continued vigilance and commitment in combating this global menace,” MoFA said.

Pakistan continued to make “unprecedented sacrifices in blood and treasure” in fighting terrorism, not only for its own people but for the region and beyond, the ministry said. More than 90,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives, while the country has incurred economic losses exceeding $150 billion in the ongoing fight against terrorism, it said.

MoFA said terrorism had become multi-faceted, with terrorists using emerging technologies and cyberspace to expand their outreach for increasingly sophisticated and lethal attacks. Pakistan was also a victim of disinformation and misinformation campaigns, hydro-terrorism and extraterritorial assassination campaigns, it said.

“The year 2025 has been among the deadliest Pakistan has faced over a decade,” the ministry said, adding that behind the rising toll was a “familiar and grim pattern of violence” planned, financed and directed from sanctuaries across the border, often supported by hostile elements from neighbouring countries. It said the attacks targeted worshippers, children, women and security personnel without distinction.

Despite these challenges, Pakistan remained “unflinching in its resolve, and unwavering in its commitment” to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, MoFA said.

The ministry also paid tribute to and reaffirmed solidarity with Kashmiris in what it referred to as “Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)”, saying they continued to live under systemic state repression involving draconian laws, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention.

MoFA said the people of IIOJK remained resolute in their demand for a UN-mandated right to self-determination.

“The people of Palestine, too, remain in our thoughts,” the ministry said, adding that despite ceasefire and diplomatic attempts that had opened space for some humanitarian relief, Palestinians, particularly children, women and older people, continued to suffer what it described as “unspeakable human rights atrocities” and denial of the fundamental right to self-determination.

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“In this backdrop, the global lessons of the past remain relevant today,” MoFA said, arguing that foreign occupation, unresolved conflicts and denial of the right to self-determination were exploited by extremists and terrorists, necessitating urgent redress.

As it paid tribute to victims of terrorism, Pakistan called on the international community to support victims and survivors of terrorism across the globe without discrimination and to enhance international cooperation and dialogue “objectively, impartially, consistently and equitably without double standard”.

The objective, MoFA said, was to ensure “a more peaceful world for our future generations”.