ISLAMABAD (PEN) : On Tuesday, Pakistan called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to prioritize the growing threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, stressing the urgent need for international action to address this issue. The plea was made by Pakistan’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, as the UNSC extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year.
In his address to the UNSC, Ambassador Akram highlighted the Taliban government’s failure to effectively eliminate terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. He specifically pointed out that the Taliban had been unable to address the threats posed by ISIS/Daesh and had tolerated the presence of other militant organizations, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and its Majeed Brigade.
Cross-Border Terrorism and Attacks on Pakistan
Ambassador Akram provided detailed accounts of recent terrorist activities, including the deadly attack on the Peshawar-bound train, Jafferabad Express, last week. He emphasized that the attackers were in direct communication with their handlers in Afghanistan, from where the assault had been planned and orchestrated. “We have evidence that the attack was initiated and financed by our principal adversary, using its proxies in Afghanistan,” he stated, referring to a foreign power’s involvement in the attack.
The Pakistani envoy went on to underline the strategic motive behind such attacks, explaining that the goal was to destabilize Pakistan and disrupt its cooperation with China, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
UNSC Response and Pakistan’s Call for Accountability
Akram thanked the UNSC for its strong condemnation of the Jafferabad Express attack and for urging the international community to hold the perpetrators, financiers, and organizers accountable. The Security Council also called on all states to cooperate with Pakistan in bringing those responsible to justice. However, Akram urged the Council to take more decisive action, particularly in securing the implementation of measures aimed at combating terrorism from Afghanistan, with specific focus on groups like ISIS-K, Al-Qaida, TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade.
Pakistan’s Position on Afghanistan’s Role in Terrorism
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its concern over the presence of these terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and has stressed the need for the Taliban government to take stronger actions against them. Akram reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance that Afghanistan should not be used as a launching pad for attacks on any other country or as a sanctuary for terrorists.
He further emphasized that no group or individual in Afghanistan should support terrorist activities operating within the territory of other nations. The Pakistani envoy concluded by asserting that Pakistan would propose concrete steps to the UN aimed at enhancing counter-terrorism efforts and securing regional and global peace and stability.
The UNSC resolution adopted on the issue also called on the Taliban to take immediate measures to combat terrorism within Afghanistan and prevent the country from becoming a hub for international terrorism.
