ISLAMABAD: Outgoing Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi has said acts of incitement and hate-speech against Muslims not only exacerbated the gulf in attitudes but also fostered misperceptions between the Muslim world and the West.

At the General Assembly’s Sixth Committee in New York, which deals with legal matters, Pakistan has called for stepped up efforts to address terrorism’s root causes and to counter the unjust defamation of certain religions that fosters misconceptions between Muslim world and the West.

Maleeha Lodhi said that the international community must address the root causes of terrorism including protracted unresolved conflicts, unlawful use of force, aggression, foreign occupation and denial of the right to self-determination.

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She reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the deadly menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Maleeha Lodhi said the unfair and biased portrayal of Islam and Islamic beliefs was unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.

She said Pakistan, is committed to cooperating with the international community to work jointly to counter terrorism.

ON June 24, Pakistan had proposed a six-point plan at the United Nations to address faith-based hatred and Islamophobia.

The plan was proposed by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi at an event ‘Countering Terrorism and other Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief’ at the UN Headquarters.

The event was organised by Pakistan with Turkey, the Holy See and the United Nations to discuss this issue and help in charting a way forward.

Lodhi had said Prime Minister Imran Khan had repeatedly called for urgent action to counter Islamophobia at various forums.

Other speakers had also called for effective steps to counter the challenge posed by the growing phenomenon of faith-based hatred and violence.