Pakistan tells UN it cannot 'sit idle' over terror from Afghanistan

Pakistan has warned at the United Nations that it cannot "sit idle" in the face of an externally backed terrorist onslaught originating from Afghanistan, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. The statement came amid what Pakistan described as a sharp spike in cross-border violence.

Counsellor Muhammad Jawad Ajmal spoke in the UN General Assembly's Third Committee during an interactive dialogue with Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

Ajmal urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to fulfil their international obligations, end the repression of women and girls, and take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. He said the denial of fundamental freedoms and basic dignity to women and girls reflected the Taliban's continued retreat from their international commitments. He added that discriminatory and abusive practices against women and girls were inconsistent with Islamic laws, traditions and the fundamental tenets of the Muslim faith.

Geo News reported that Ajmal called terrorism the heart of Afghanistan's challenges and expressed serious concern over terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. He said there was a nexus between the Afghan Taliban and terror groups, and a role for external actors supporting proxy elements targeting Pakistan and other neighbouring countries. He said: "The Taliban's continued failure to publicly denounce these groups raised serious questions about their complicity and support." He also said the Taliban authorities had failed to address Pakistan's concerns.

Geo News reported that Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, and that Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to stop militants using Afghan territory to attack Pakistan.

Ajmal said that on March 16 Pakistan precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including drone and ammunition storage facilities used by the TTP. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had said the armed forces "successfully carried out precision airstrikes" under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar. Ajmal said Pakistan would exercise its right to self-defence whenever necessary against threats to its citizens and national security.

On refugees, Ajmal said Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghans over several decades, often without adequate international support. He urged the international community to share responsibility, support vulnerable Afghan refugees and back efforts for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.