ISLAMABAD, (TDI): Pakistan’s top diplomat at the United Nations has raised alarms about the terror threat emanating from Afghanistan, said a statement released on Thursday.
He said that the situation in Afghanistan remains unstable three years after the Taliban took power.
Ambassador Munir Akram described the TTP as the largest terrorist organization in Afghanistan, conducting nearly daily attacks against Pakistan with the full support and protection of the Afghan Interim Government, backed by Pakistan’s major adversary.
Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in militant violence in recent years, which officials attribute to armed groups based in Afghanistan.
There is particular concern regarding the presence of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for numerous deadly suicide attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and Chinese nationals involved in major energy and infrastructure projects.
Last year, Pakistan accused the Afghan government of “facilitating” the TTP, which prompted a deportation campaign against Afghan immigrants, resulting in the expulsion of over 700,000 individuals from the country.
The Afghan authorities have denied involvement in Pakistan’s security issues and have protested against the expulsion of their citizens.
“Given its long association with Al Qaeda, it will not be long before the TTP becomes the spearhead for Al Qaeda’s regional and global terrorist objectives,” Ambassador Munir Akram stated at a UN Security Council meeting addressing the current situation in Afghanistan.
He cautioned that while some nations may believe their primary threat comes from ISIL-K (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan), they should also be wary of the dangers posed by a strengthened TTP in the near future.
Ambassador Akram referenced the 34th report from the UN monitoring team, which highlights the troubling rise of terrorism linked to Afghanistan.
He indicated that the TTP is evolving into an umbrella organization that is now coordinating with Baloch separatist groups targeting Pakistan’s southwestern province.
“It is evident that Afghanistan is far from achieving normalization three years after the Taliban took control,” he remarked.
“True normalization will not occur until fundamental issues—such as terrorism, human rights, political inclusion, illegal migration, and the plight of Afghan refugees—are addressed.”
The ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of greater political inclusion to enhance stability and normalization prospects within the country.
He also expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation, particularly regarding women and girls.
“Instead of easing previous restrictions, the Afghan Interim Government has intensified its misogynistic policies with new edicts that silence the voices of women and girls,” he said.
“We are particularly dismayed that these abhorrent measures are being justified in the name of Islam.
Such regressive actions violate the principles of our enlightened religion, which was the first to advocate equal rights for men and women.”
Ambassador Akram concluded by stating that Pakistan is committed to expanding trade and commercial relations with Afghanistan and remains a vital partner in implementing regional infrastructure and connectivity projects to promote economic stability and growth in the region.
