ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has said more than 4,700 Pakistanis have been killed in terrorism originating from Afghanistan over the past three years, and that terrorist groups operate from sanctuaries in the neighbouring country with impunity.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security held to mark the anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Pakistan had faced some of the deadliest terrorist attacks by groups including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade.
“More than 4,700 innocent Pakistanis have lost their lives to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan over the last three years,” Ahmad said. He said the TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade continued to operate from sanctuaries in Afghanistan with “significant external support”.
He also criticised the absence of restrictive measures and sanctions against groups such as the BLA, arguing that UN Security Council action could help contain their activities. He called for effective action against other terrorist organisations, including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and the regional Daesh affiliate Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K).
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Pakistan has repeatedly maintained that Afghan authorities allow terrorist groups to operate from their territory and cross the border to carry out attacks in Pakistan. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with terrorist attacks increasing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which border Afghanistan.
Pakistan maintains that Afghan territory must not be used to plan, finance, facilitate or launch terrorist attacks against Pakistan. The Foreign Office has repeatedly said Islamabad remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy with Kabul but expects concrete and verifiable action against the TTP, BLA and other terrorist operating from Afghan soil.
It has also maintained that Pakistan reserves the right to take necessary measures in self-defence, in accordance with international law, to protect its citizens and security forces.
