ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan has become a sanctuary for terrorist groups and proxies, a reality acknowledged by global assessments, including the United Nations reports and UN Monitoring Team.
This was stated by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, during a UN Security Council discussion on the situation in Afghanistan.
He said this situation has destabilised the region, creating serious consequences and security challenges for its immediate neighbours, particularly Pakistan.
As reports speak of an unofficial delegation visiting Kabul in search of dialogue, Asim Iftikhar told the UNSC terrorism emanating from Afghan soil poses a grave threat not only to its immediate neighbours but also to broader region and beyond, undermining regional and international peace and security.
“Terrorist entities including TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda and ETIM enjoy safe havens inside Afghanistan, from where they launch cross-border infiltration, violent attacks and suicide bombings. Elements within Taliban regime have chosen the path of complicity and active support for these groups, with external backing and sponsorship from our eastern neighbour — a known opportunist and spoiler — providing logistical support and financing to wage a proxy war against Pakistan”, he said.
Recalling ongoing tensions along Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the ambassador said while exercising maximum restraint, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based selective strikes on February 21-22 against seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to TTP, its affiliates and ISIL-K in bordering regions with precision and accuracy.
However, on February 26, Taliban publicly declared their decision to initiate hostilities against Pakistan across multiple border locations, opening unprovoked fire and shelling border posts and military installations. “In exercise of its right to self-defence, Pakistan took retaliatory measures against hostile targets and logistical bases used by terrorist groups. Our actions have been proportional, based on careful planning with necessary due diligence, and directed solely against identified terrorist camps and support bases. Pakistan will take all necessary defensive measures to protect its citizens, territory and sovereignty. Our counter-terrorism operations will continue for as long as it takes to degrade the combat capabilities of terrorist groups and their support infrastructure,” he added.
The ambassador was compelled to take the floor again after statements by representatives of India and Afghanistan criticising Pakistan’s Afghan policy.
Strongly criticising both countries, the ambassador pointed to so-called representative of Afghanistan, saying he does not represent anyone but himself and should not misuse the forum to pursue his personal agenda. “Sequestered in New York, Faiq, my friend, is completely cut off from ground realities and chose to selectively comment on some aspects of the situation, particularly regarding Pakistan. Therefore, the value and credibility of his remarks are in serious doubt,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized Pakistan’s legitimate counter-terrorism operations are not directed against brotherly people of Afghanistan but are meant solely to neutralise persistent threat of terrorism emanating from the Afghan soil. He said Pakistan’s actions fully conform with the right to self defence and international humanitarian law.
“It was therefore not surprising Faiq had nothing to say about cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan that is heavily impacting Pakistan in terms of casualties among civilians, our armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and infrastructure,” he added.
Turning to Indian delegate, the ambassador told the Security Council that given India’s hostility towards Pakistan and sole objective of its Afghan policy being to destabilise Pakistan — including by actively supporting and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil such as TTP and BLA — the remarks of Indian representative were not surprising.
“India’s representative spoke at length about security situation in Afghanistan. He mentioned civilian casualties and border clashes but said nothing about terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan that has targeted Pakistan and which many Council members highlighted in their statements. But there is a reason for that: India’s complicity in all of this. We have provided irrefutable evidence of India’s collusion with terrorist groups engaged in orchestrating violent attacks against Pakistan,” he said.
The ambassador said one could sense India’s frustration at seeing its heavy investment in the Afghan terrorist network going to waste due to Pakistan’s precise and effective action against terrorist camps and support bases inside Afghanistan. “The world needs no lectures from a serial violator of international law like India — a state that illegally occupies territory, violates UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, perpetrates state terrorism in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and beyond, systematically marginalises its minorities, spreads hate, even weaponises water with express goal of starving Pakistan’s population, and continues to use disinformation as state policy,” he said.
While India has consistently played role of a spoiler in Afghanistan, Pakistan has engaged responsibly in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. “But these goals can only be achieved if Taliban regime fulfills its commitments regarding counter-terrorism, inclusive governance and the protection of rights of Afghan women and girls — three key areas highlighted by Council members in today’s discussion”, he said.
The ambassador further pointed out India must cease its policy of fuelling terrorism inside Pakistan from Afghan soil, now allegedly in collaboration with elements within Taliban regime.
Meanwhile, Ishaq Dar held telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi. They exchanged views on evolving regional situation and broader global developments. Ishaq Dar shared Pakistan’s perspective and emphasised urgent need to reduce tensions in Middle East and the wider region. Foreign Minister Wang Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region. Both leaders stressed importance of reducing tensions and highlighted need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in line with the principles of United Nations Charter.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke Tuesday evening with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. They discussed evolving developments in Middle East and wider region and exchanged views on ongoing deliberations at United Nations Security Council. Ishaq Dar shared Pakistan’s perspective, emphasising importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to support de-escalation and promote peace and stability across the region and beyond.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. According to Foreign Office, they exchanged views on developments in Middle East and wider region, expressing grave concern over recent attacks, including those in Bahrain. The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Bahrain and its people and emphasised need for de-escalation, dialogue and efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Pakistan also strongly condemned Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and the displacement of nearly half a million people. “The Israeli actions, which violate international law, are undermining efforts of Government of Lebanon to ensure peace and stability in the country and risk further worsening ongoing security and humanitarian crises in the region,” the Foreign Office said.
Pakistan urged international community to take urgent action to end Israeli military aggression, indiscriminate targeting of civilians and continued violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We also call for Israel’s immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories. Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with brotherly people of Lebanon in the face of this aggression and will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace in Lebanon as well as the wider region,” the statement added.
