No Cause Whatsoever Can Justify Terrorism

CHITRAL:  There may be a school of thought which believes that when peaceful methods do not solve a problem or fail to achieve goals, terrorism can be resorted to, for a just cause. This thought is most dangerous as much as it is unjust and inhuman.

Terrorism, whatever its cause or justification, is fundamentally unnatural to a peaceful human society. It may be committed in the name of liberation, resistance, religion, political change, revenge, or even for money. But no cause can make the deliberate use of terror against human beings acceptable.

History shows that conflicts may arise over land, power, ideology, religion or injustice. Such disputes can and do demand resistance, political struggle and, in extreme circumstances, armed conflict. But terrorism becomes particularly abhorrent when violence is directed at people who have no part in the conflict, ordinary men, women and children who simply happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The victims of terrorism often have no say in the issues that led to the violence. They lose their lives, families lose their loved ones, and communities are left with fear, hatred and mistrust. In this way, terrorism does not merely kill individuals; it damages the very fabric of society.

There should therefore be no double standard in condemning terrorism. The identity of the perpetrators, the religion or ideology they invoke, or the cause they claim to represent should make no difference. Terrorism against innocent people is wrong whether it is committed in the name of religion, liberation, revolution, nationalism or money.

Humanity must learn to distinguish between a cause and the methods used in pursuing it. A legitimate grievance may deserve attention and justice, but terrorism cannot be the answer. Peace, justice and human dignity cannot be built upon the deliberate suffering of the innocent.

The world unitedly must deplore terrorism  most vehemently, without qualification, without double standards and without exception. .. CN report, 06 Sep 2026