Saira Imran 
Afghan Terrorism Threat to Pakistan: Pakistan Raises Alarm
Afghan terrorism threat to Pakistan is a serious concern for the country. Pakistan raised this issue at the United Nations Security Council. Pakistan said that terrorism coming from Afghan soil is the biggest danger to its national security and sovereignty.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, spoke in New York. He explained Pakistan’s concerns about security, humanitarian, and economic challenges coming from Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan stayed in contact with the Afghan Taliban after their takeover in 2021. Pakistan helped with humanitarian aid, supported trade, and allowed smooth transport of goods. Pakistan also gave different trade and transit facilities.
He said that even after these efforts, the threats continue. Terrorist groups have found safe places in Afghanistan again. Their activities are harming Pakistan and the whole region.
He said Afghan authorities failed to stop these terrorist groups. Pakistan faced more attacks that terrorists planned, funded, and carried out from Afghan soil. He said that this year alone, Pakistan lost around 1,200 lives due to terrorism from Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations have killed more than 214 Afghan terrorists, including suicide bombers, since 2022.
Pakistan said groups like TTP, Al-Qaeda, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade have safe shelters in Afghanistan. Government of Pakistan also stopped several infiltration attempts by TTP and BLA terrorists. Pakistan recovered U.S. military-grade weapons that came from Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan’s security forces and civilians paid a heavy price. He also said some elements inside the Taliban support these terrorist groups and allow them to operate freely. Pakistan has evidence of this cooperation.
He warned that a “disruptive country” in the region is helping these terrorist groups with money, equipment, and technology to harm Pakistan.
Pakistan asked the UN mission in Afghanistan to stop illegal weapons trade and to review border security in a neutral way. Govt. of Pakistan said cross-border terrorism is the real cause of border clashes.
Pakistan said it is still in dialogue with the Afghan Taliban, and thanked Qatar and Türkiye for helping in recent talks held in Doha and Istanbul. They asked the Taliban to take strong and verifiable action against all terrorist groups.
Pakistan warned that if action is not taken, Pakistan will use all necessary measures to protect its people and territory.
He also spoke about Pakistan’s visa system that allows Afghans to come legally for education, health, business, and family visits. Since September 2023, more than 536,000 medical visas have been issued.
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Pakistan said it wants a peaceful, stable, connected, and prosperous Afghanistan, and believes lasting peace is possible only through honest dialogue with the Afghan Taliban, respect for global commitments, and strong regional cooperation.
Pakistan also asked the international community to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and support a safe environment for long-term development.
Recent reports support Pakistan’s concerns. A U.S. watchdog confirmed that after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, military equipment worth billions of dollars fell into Taliban hands. UN reports and investigations also show that this equipment already reached TTP, making attacks in Pakistan more dangerous.
A UN panel said Taliban still support TTP with logistics and operational help. This proves Pakistan’s claim that terrorists have safe hideouts in Afghanistan and continue cross-border militancy.
In the end, Pakistan repeated that the Afghan terrorism threat to Pakistan must be addressed for peace in the region.
