ISLAMABAD: In a firm stance against the growing threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, urged the international community to take action to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a breeding ground for terrorist organizations, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Addressing the UN General Assembly’s plenary session on the situation in Afghanistan, Ambassador Iftikhar emphasized the threat posed by Afghan-based groups to regional and global security.
“We must ensure that Afghanistan does not become a breeding ground for terrorists that threatens not only its neighbors but the region and beyond,” he said, underscoring Pakistan’s repeated concerns regarding Afghan soil being used by terror outfits.
The remarks come amidst recent attacks by Afghanistan-based terrorists. Just last week, security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district eliminated at least 30 Indian-backed militants attempting to infiltrate Pakistan through the porous border.
Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in cross-border terrorism since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with the western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan being the most affected.
Despite ongoing tensions with neighboring India, Pakistan has seen a slight uptick in militant attacks in May 2025, pointing to the broader regional instability exacerbated by groups such as TTP and Daesh operating from Afghanistan.
In a related development, Pakistan and India held their first-ever additional secretary-level talks in Islamabad to address key bilateral issues, including security. Both sides recognized terrorism as a grave threat to regional peace, but Pakistan emphasized the urgent need for concrete actions against the terrorist groups operating on Afghan soil.
Ambassador Iftikhar further elaborated on the specific threats posed by Afghan-based terrorist organizations. He referred to the TTP, a group with around 6,000 fighters, as the largest UN-designated terrorist group operating from Afghan territory.
He warned of the growing cross-recruitment between the TTP and other militant factions, including Daesh, which only amplifies the dangers of these groups not only to Pakistan’s security but also to broader regional and international stability.
“The TTP’s collaboration with other groups, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade, aims to disrupt Pakistan’s strategic infrastructure and economic development,” he said.
The ambassador also addressed the issue of Afghan refugees crossing into Pakistan, exacerbating law and order concerns. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, over one million undocumented Afghan nationals have entered Pakistan, creating further challenges. Pakistan, despite its own limitations, continues to host millions of Afghan refugees, but Iftikhar emphasized the need for the international community to share this burden more equitably.
“Afghanistan’s problems directly impact us. Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees over the decades and continues to offer shelter to the vulnerable. However, the international community must play its part in alleviating the burden,” he stated.
In addition to addressing security concerns, Ambassador Iftikhar underscored the importance of reviving Afghanistan’s economy and banking system, which remains severely crippled. He called for the unfreezing of Afghanistan’s financial assets, which would help enable trade, investment, and economic growth.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to regional connectivity initiatives such as TAPI, CASA-1000, and the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, all of which could contribute significantly to the region’s stability and development.
Ambassador Iftikhar concluded by expressing optimism for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, free from terrorism and fully integrated into the international community. “For the first time in over four decades, we’ve seen an end to the fighting in Afghanistan.
We have renewed hope for a better future, an Afghanistan at peace with itself, its neighbors, and the world. Afghanistan must not be abandoned, and practical engagement through dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward,” he said.
This call to action underscores Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to regional peace and security, urging the global community to address the growing threats emanating from Afghanistan.
