UNITED NATIONS: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday voiced strong concerns over the presence of multiple terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, warning that they posed a “grave threat to regional and international peace and security.”
Addressing the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan, Dar said Pakistan remained “seriously concerned” about the presence of more than two dozen outfits inside Afghanistan, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Majeed Brigade, and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). He added that these groups were “actively collaborating with Al-Qaeda,” intensifying the threat beyond the region.
Dar’s mention of ETIM carried particular weight as the group directly threatens China. The development comes weeks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underscored the need to deepen security cooperation with Pakistan and eradicate breeding grounds of terrorism. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing saw both countries agree on a joint action plan to combat terrorism and strengthen defence ties.
The deputy premier said Afghanistan had “failed to act” against these outfits despite Pakistan’s repeated reminders. “For meaningful progress across all priority pillars, the Afghan interim authorities must take concrete and verifiable action to prevent their soil from being used for terrorism against neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan,” he stressed.
Read More: 13 Militants Killed in Daraban DI Khan IBO
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reacting to a recent attack in South Waziristan, had also urged Kabul to “choose between Pakistan and Khawarij,” the term used for TTP and allied groups.
Dar also drew attention to the use of digital platforms in fueling extremism. “Social media is being used by these terrorist groups for propaganda and incitement to violence. This cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz has previously called for countering what he described as “venomous propaganda” against the state, terming the fight against terrorism a “national duty.”
