United Nations (TDI): Pakistan is at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts, fighting not only Da’esh, but also Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Majeed Brigade operating from safe havens in Afghanistan, Ambassador Munir Akram told the UN Security Council, as he urged the 15-member body to act against these elements.
“This threat of Daesh, TTP and Majeed Brigade is a threat not only to Afghanistan and Pakistan but to the whole region and beyond,” the Pakistan envoy said in a debate on the 20th biannual report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh to global peace and security.
He stated, “We must sincerely address the terrorist threats from Afghanistan.”
At the same time, the envoy said the global community has failed to address state terrorism, including the use of state power to suppress legitimate struggles for self-determination or to continue foreign occupation.
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“There must be accountability for the violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to self-determination and in situations of foreign occupation,” he said, referring to the suppression of the independence struggles of Kashmiri and Palestinian people.
Akram said that terrorist attacks have increased worldwide, especially across the Middle East, Africa and in and from Afghanistan.
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“While Al-Qaeda ‘core’ was largely eliminated in Afghanistan due to Pakistan’s efforts, several of its branches have emerged in areas like North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said, adding that although D’aesh was suppressed in Syria and Iraq, its franchises have now surfaced in Afghanistan and in the Sahel.
As such, Ambassador Akram emphasized that the global community must address the terrorist threat together, through a comprehensive, coordinated and principled strategy based upon the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy adopted by the General Assembly.
Highlighting that there are more than two dozen terrorist outfits operating inside Afghanistan, which is also the “main hub for ISIL-K’s recruitment and facilitation”, he said that the country is the main center of recruitment of Daesh.
