Listing of Maulana Masood Azhar

The UN Sanctions machinery is governed by rules, procedures and defined processes. The proposals for listing are examined, reviewed and acted upon, in line with a specific, technical criteria. Technical holds, confidentiality provisions and consensus decision making are part of the listing process.

The listing, in question, has been under consideration of the Sanctions Committee for almost a decade. Previous proposals did not meet the technical criteria as they included factors unrelated to the listing rules and were thus rejected.

The recent listing proposal was presented on the basis of considerations beyond the listing parameters. As a result, a technical hold was placed by China to bring it in line with the listing criteria.

The current amended listing proposal was approved, once politically motivated attempts to link it with the Pulwama incident and the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for the realization of the right to self-determination, were removed.

Pakistan has always called for all countries to strictly comply with the listing rules and procedures and maintain the integrity of the UN sanctions regime. Pakistan has also underlined that leveraging UN Sanctions regime to advance political objectives is counterproductive.

The Spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to counter terrorism and underscored that no country in the world can match Pakistan’s efforts, achievements and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

Pakistan maintains that terrorism is a menace to the world. This includes the Indian state sponsored terrorism against innocent Kashmiris in IOK, including the inhuman use of pellet guns and human shields, which find no parallel in the civilized world. Indian occupation forces continue to massacre Kashmiris, enjoying judicial immunity with impunity through draconian laws. We will continue to provide diplomatic, political and moral support to our Kashmiri brethren.

The Government of Pakistan, has since January 2019, accelerated the implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism and extremism. The Plan inter alia includes a range of actions against UN proscribed entities and individuals. Notwithstanding the challenges, progress is being made and further work will continue in line with national consensus and interest.

Islamabad
01 May 2019

192/2019