UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad on Monday warned that terrorism emanating from Afghanistan poses a “grave threat” to neighbouring countries and the wider region.
Addressing a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Afghanistan, the ambassador said elements within the Taliban regime had chosen “the path of complicity and active support” for terrorist organisations.
He said several militant groups — including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade, Islamic State Khorasan, Al-Qaeda and East Turkestan Islamic Movement — were operating from Afghan territory and launching cross-border attacks, infiltration and suicide bombings.
“As an immediate neighbour, in order to secure a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, Pakistan regularly facilitated dialogue and engagement with the Taliban authorities,” Ahmad said.
He noted that Pakistan had presented initiatives to support Afghanistan, including humanitarian assistance, trade incentives, relaxed visa regimes and participation in regional platforms aimed at integrating Afghanistan with the region.
However, the ambassador said the Taliban had failed to meet the international community’s expectations under the Doha Process regarding counter-terrorism, human rights and inclusive governance.
Highlighting recent security concerns, Ahmad said Pakistan had witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks planned and financed from Afghan soil since the Taliban takeover.
“We have lost thousands of lives to terrorism-related incidents since the Taliban takeover, and just last month more than 175 innocent Pakistanis were killed, including in three suicide attacks,” he said.
The envoy said Pakistan had exercised restraint but conducted intelligence-based operations on February 21–22 targeting terrorist camps belonging to militant groups in border regions.
He added that after cross-border firing by Taliban forces on February 26, Pakistan responded in self-defence against hostile targets and logistical bases used by militant organisations.
“Our counter-terrorism operations will continue for as long as it takes to degrade the combat capabilities of terrorist groups and their support infrastructure,” Ahmad said.
The ambassador also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, saying ordinary Afghans were suffering from economic hardship, poverty, terrorism and restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
He urged the international community to maintain engagement through the UN-led Doha Process to address Afghanistan’s challenges and promote lasting peace.
Concluding his remarks, Ahmad stressed that no country desired peace and stability in Afghanistan more than Pakistan and called on the Taliban to ensure that Afghan territory was not used for terrorism against neighbouring states.