At the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan issued a strong warning about the growing threat of terrorism from Afghanistan. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed that Afghan soil must not become a breeding ground for terrorist groups that threaten regional peace, especially Pakistan’s security.
Speaking during a plenary session on Afghanistan, Ambassador Ahmad highlighted that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with nearly 6,000 fighters, remains the largest UN-designated terrorist group operating from Afghanistan. He warned that other militant organizations such as ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda, and Baloch separatist groups also exploit the lack of governance in Afghanistan to launch attacks.
He pointed to recent cross-border infiltrations by TTP militants and the capture of modern weapons once left behind by international forces in Afghanistan. These weapons are now being used in advanced attacks against Pakistan, signaling the urgency of international attention and cooperation on the issue.
Moreover, the ambassador revealed evidence of collaboration between TTP and other banned groups like the Baloch Liberation Army and Majeed Brigade. Their goal, he said, is to sabotage key infrastructure and damage economic development projects within Pakistan, creating long-term instability in the region.
Ambassador Ahmad strongly emphasized that terrorism originating from Afghanistan has consequences far beyond its borders. He called for practical, unified action from the global community and urged diplomatic engagement with Afghan authorities instead of isolation or sanctions.
He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to support peace and security through high-level talks and regional forums. Citing recent engagements, including visits to Kabul and the Beijing trilateral dialogue with China, he said Pakistan remains committed to preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists.