Daily Times

Pakistan has formally requested the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the origins of the advanced military equipment acquired by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). During a briefing on Afghanistan at the UNSC’s United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, underscored the critical nature of the threat posed by the TTP and its offshoots. These groups have been responsible for meticulously organized cross-border terrorist attacks on Pakistan, resulting in substantial losses to civilians, soldiers, and damage to military and other installations.

Ambassador Akram emphasized the evolving nature of these attacks, which have become more lethal and sophisticated due to the TTP’s access to advanced military equipment. He asserted that these weapons likely originated from the considerable stocks left behind by foreign forces. However, the pressing question remains: how did a designated terrorist organization like the TTP secure possession of such weaponry?

In response to this alarming situation, Pakistan is demanding a thorough investigation by the United Nations, whether through UNAMA or another relevant agency. The objective is to unravel the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of these advanced weapons by the TTP and to explore potential avenues for their retrieval.

The ambassador also shed light on the grim reality of the losses Pakistan has suffered, with hundreds of brave soldiers and civilians falling victim to these attacks in the current year alone. He highlighted a recent heinous attack in Dera Ismail Khan, where more than 23 lives were lost. These incidents underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the TTP’s weaponry sources.

While acknowledging some positive developments in Afghanistan’s economy, Ambassador Akram asserted that any engagement with the Afghan interim government should be based on its responsiveness to the core concerns of the international community. Despite reported success in countering specific terrorist groups, there is evidence that various terrorist entities are finding sanctuary in Afghanistan, seemingly under the protection of the interim government.

Ambassador Akram refrained from explicitly naming the primary adversary supporting the TTP. Still, he stressed that Pakistan possesses clear evidence of external support for the TTP, allowing it to operate freely and conduct cross-border attacks on Pakistan’s outposts and installations.

In light of these complexities, Ambassador Akram urged the Security Council to strengthen the work of the 1988 Committee, directing it to facilitate action by the Afghan Interim Government against all terrorist groups within its borders. He advocated for empowering the monitoring team to analyze and report on progress in the context of counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan to both the Committee and the Security Council. The overarching goal is to address the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorism in the region comprehensively.