NEW YORK: At the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Pakistan’s delegate Asim Iftikhar expressed serious reservations regarding the security threats posed by militant groups operating from Afghanistan.
The Pakistani delegate highlighted credible evidence of cooperation between the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and its special forces units, the Majeed Brigade.
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Iftikhar stated that these militant groups were involved in a complex insurgency dynamics that continue to destabilise Pakistan.
The TPP, formed in 2007, has been responsible for numerous attacks within Pakistan, aiming to impose its interpretation of religious laws and challenge the authority of the state.
With an estimated 6,000 fighters, the TTP is designated as a terrorist organisation and it viewed as a direct threat to the national security.
The group has exploited the porous border with Afghanistan, using it as a base for launching attacks against the Pakistani security forces and civilians.
The Pakistani delegate revealed an increase in TTP activates, with infiltration attempts from Afghan territory becoming more frequent.
The BLA operates primarily in Balochistan, a resource rich province. The group seeks greater autonomy and control over local resources, often resorting to violence to achieve its goals.
The BLA has targeted security forces, state infrastructure, development projects.
Asim Iftikhar pointed out that the BLA, in collaboration with the TTP and the Majeed Brigade, is actively working to sabotage Pakistan’s infrastructure and development efforts.
The insurgencies are rooted in decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan, which has historically provided refuge for various militant groups.
Despite the US pulling out its troops hastily, and the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan, the country still remains a volatile territory, with the ISIS-K chapter seeking inroads in the war-torn country.
Such conditions have provided ripe ground for groups like TTP and the BLA to thrive. Iftikhar stated that Afghan soil is being used against Pakistan through terrotists and proxies.
The Pakistani delegate also addressed Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs, stating that the country requires $2.42 billion in international assistance to stabalise its economy and prevent a return to conflict.
He urged the international community to avoid actions that could push Afghanistan back towards conflict.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of ISIS-K, which has been targeting the Afghan interim government, and te ongoing activities of al-Qaeda among other militant factions.
Iftikhar warned that terrorism originating from Afghanistan poses a serious threat not only to Pakistan but also to regional and global security.
In response to these challenges, Pakistan “remained committed to taking” necessary measures to protect its citizens and maintain stability.
Iftikhar reiterated the importance of the international community working together to hold the Afghan interim government accountable for its promises and to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists once again.
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The Pakistani delegate said that his country was prepared to contribute to regional and global connectivity efforts.
During the session on Afghanistan at the UNGA, the proposed resolution detailed the importance of establishing an inclusive and representative government through intra-Afghan dialogue, the German delegate said.