Pakistan vows self-defence against Afghan-based terror, urges UN action

During a UN Security Council debate on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s permanent representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad announced that Islamabad will respond in self-defence to terrorist threats emanating from Afghan territory, invoking international law. He said more than 4,700 Pakistanis have been killed in the past three years by groups operating from Afghanistan, including the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch one outlet Army, Islamic State-Khorasan and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

Ahmad faulted the Afghan Taliban for not taking concrete, verifiable action against these factions and warned of leftover weapons and illicit arms trafficking. He highlighted Pakistan’s continued humanitarian aid, noting that at least 687 cargo trucks entered Afghanistan during the reporting period, while criticizing the unmet expectations of the international community. Other delegates, such as US Ambassador Mike Waltz, Russia’s Vassily Nebenzia and China’s Sun Lei, presented contrasting views, with the US calling for pressure on the Taliban and Russia and China urging continued engagement.