Pakistan has warned the United Nations Security Council that terrorism from Afghanistan remains the gravest threat to its national security. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, during a debate on Afghanistan.
He said the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with almost 6,000 fighters, is the largest UN-designated terrorist group on Afghan soil. Pakistan has reportedly foiled several infiltration attempts by TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants. Security forces also seized large stockpiles of modern weapons left behind by international forces, especially those abandoned by the United States.
Ambassador Asim highlighted the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security forces and civilians. He recalled that 12 soldiers were recently martyred while defending the border. He described the situation as intolerable, citing evidence of collaboration among groups like ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda, TTP, and BLA.
These groups, he said, operate over 60 training camps in Afghanistan and target civilians, infrastructure, and law enforcement inside Pakistan.
He urged swift action on Pakistan and China’s proposal to list the BLA and its Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations under the UN’s sanctions committee. The United States has already listed them.
The envoy stressed that Pakistan has always advocated engagement with Afghanistan. He warned against allowing Taliban-related sanctions to be influenced by political interests. He also noted that Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for decades and continues to provide visas for education, healthcare, and business. However, he urged the global community to share this burden more fairly.
Pakistan, he said, desires peace and stability in Afghanistan more than any other nation. He added that Pakistan has suffered the most from Afghanistan’s decades-long conflict but remains committed to supporting a stable and prosperous neighbor.
At the session, UN envoy Roza Otunbayeva also warned that Afghanistan faces a “perfect storm” of humanitarian, economic, and human rights crises. She said restrictions on women and girls are worsening the situation and risk creating long-term damage for the country.
In other news read more about Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Sign Historic Defence Deal to Boost Strategic Partnership
