United Nations — July 2025
Pakistan has sounded a fresh alarm at the United Nations over the growing threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, warning that the war-torn country risks becoming a breeding ground for extremists. Addressing a UN General Assembly session on the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, described the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a “regional and global threat.”
“We must ensure that Afghanistan does not become a sanctuary for terrorist groups threatening not only its neighbours, but peace and stability across the region and beyond,” the ambassador stressed during his remarks.
His statement comes amid a spike in cross-border terrorist activity, particularly in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Just last week, Pakistan’s security forces reportedly killed at least 30 militants allegedly backed by India while attempting to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in North Waziristan.
Ambassador Iftikhar underscored that the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2021 has coincided with a sharp increase in militant activity along the border. He pointed to the presence of multiple terrorist outfits, including Daesh, Al-Qaeda, TTP, and Baloch separatist factions, operating from what he called “ungoverned spaces” within Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan must never again become a safe haven for terrorism directed at any other country,” he said, noting that the TTP remains the largest UN-designated terrorist group active on Afghan soil, with an estimated 6,000 fighters.
According to the ambassador, Pakistan has gathered credible intelligence indicating operational ties between the TTP and other armed groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade. He accused these groups of attempting to sabotage Pakistan’s strategic infrastructure and economic projects.
“These groups are now using modern weaponry and advanced equipment to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks,” he said, citing multiple recent incidents along the border. “This highlights the gravity of the threat Pakistan is facing.”
The remarks followed a key diplomatic meeting in Islamabad between Pakistani and Afghan officials, during which both sides reaffirmed that terrorism remains a serious threat to regional peace. Pakistan urged its neighbour to take meaningful action against militants using Afghan territory to stage attacks.
The Human Cost and Economic Fallout
Ambassador Iftikhar also addressed the humanitarian and economic dimensions of the Afghan crisis, noting that Pakistan continues to bear a heavy burden as a frontline state. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, over one million undocumented Afghans have entered Pakistan, adding to the millions already hosted over the decades.
“This has created major law-and-order challenges,” he said, calling for greater international responsibility-sharing. “The global community must play its part in addressing Afghanistan’s pressing humanitarian needs.”
He emphasized that the Afghan economy urgently needs revival, including the restoration of its banking system and the unfreezing of overseas assets. He also urged support for regional development projects such as the TAPI gas pipeline, CASA-1000 energy corridor, the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway, and the potential extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
“Pakistan remains committed to enhancing trade and regional connectivity. These efforts can foster long-term peace and economic integration,” he added.
A Call for Dialogue and Engagement
Looking ahead, Ambassador Iftikhar struck a hopeful but cautious tone.
“For the first time in more than 40 years, Afghanistan is not consumed by active war. This is a moment of opportunity,” he said. “We must not abandon Afghanistan. The way forward lies in sustained, pragmatic engagement through dialogue and diplomacy.”
He concluded by urging the international community to support a vision of Afghanistan that is peaceful, inclusive, and free from terrorism — one that respects the rights of all its citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
