Pakistan called on Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban authorities to take \u201cverifiable and non-reversible action\u201d against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, as its envoy to the United Nations accused India of backing terrorists and using Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan during a UN Security Council debate on Monday.<\/p>\n
Addressing the UN Security Council, Pakistan\u2019s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said Pakistan had consistently supported Afghanistan through humanitarian relief, political engagement and efforts to strengthen bilateral trade.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy said that in support of what he described as \u201cour Afghan brethren,\u201d Islamabad had taken \u201cnumerous steps to support Afghanistan, including humanitarian relief efforts, political engagement, and providing incentives to boost bilateral trade.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was expected after the end of the civil war that the Taliban would evolve into a responsible governing authority. \u201cIt was anticipated that the Taliban would take positive steps to transform into a responsible governing authority by adhering to their international obligations and commitments,\u201d the envoy said.<\/p>\n
However, Pakistan\u2019s envoy warned that terrorism remained deeply entrenched in Afghanistan, with implications extending beyond its borders. \u201cFor decades, terrorism has been a major problem in Afghanistan, with implications not just for Afghanistan, but the immediate neighbourhood and beyond,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy said the expectation was that the Taliban would take \u201cconcrete and verifiable actions\u201d against terrorist groups, including the TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, ETIM and affiliated networks operating from Afghan territory.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was our expectation that the Taliban would take concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist groups such as the TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, ETIM and their affiliates that are operating with impunity on Afghan soil,\u201d the envoy said.<\/p>\n
Instead, Pakistan\u2019s envoy noted, \u201cregrettably, they have failed to undertake action, showing complete disregard for the legitimate security concerns of Pakistan and other countries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy said the consequences were already being felt inside the country. \u201cAs a direct result of the freedom with which these terrorist groups operate in Afghanistan, Pakistan has borne the brunt of their attacks as well as the Taliban’s growing nexus with these terrorist groups,\u201d the envoy said.<\/p>\n
He added that terrorist groups had access to advanced capabilities. \u201cThese terrorist groups have access to advanced weapons and sophisticated equipment, including drones,\u201d he said, adding that much of it could be traced to \u201cthe multi-billion dollar worth of arms and ammunition left behind by foreign forces\u201d.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy said counterterrorism operations had uncovered extensive recoveries of such weapons. \u201cDuring our CT operations, there have been more than 290 cases of seizures of such weapons,\u201d he said, noting they were used in \u201csuicide bombings in the western parts of Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n
The envoy added that Pakistan had suffered severe losses in 2025. \u201cIn 2025 alone, Pakistan suffered more than 5,300 terrorist incidents and lost more than 1,200 lives to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy accused the Taliban of reverting to earlier practices. \u201cIt is deplorable that the Taliban have reverted to their old tactics of providing safe havens to terrorist groups and chosen the perilous path of complicity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also alleged the involvement of an external actor, describing it as a \u201chistoric spoiler and instigator of chaos that has moved fast as an opportunist to wage a proxy war against Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy made clear Islamabad\u2019s position, \u201cPakistan will defend itself against whosoever attempts to harm our sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.\u201d<\/p>\n
The envoy said Pakistan remained open to diplomacy and continued engagement. \u201cPakistan has always expressed openness for dialogue. Numerous diplomatic efforts were made to counsel the Taliban,\u201d he said, thanking Qatar, T\u00fcrkiye, Saudi Arabia and China for mediation efforts.<\/p>\n
However, Pakistan\u2019s envoy said the situation had worsened due to the Taliban’s inaction. The refusal to \u201cpublicly denounce and condemn terrorist groups such as the TTP and BLA\u201d was described as \u201cdeeply disturbing\u201d and evidence of \u201ccomplicity and active support.\u201d<\/p>\n
The envoy added, \u201cPakistan will not sit idle while suffering from terrorist acts. Pakistan will respond in self-defence, as and when needed and always in conformity with international law and IHL.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to the UN Secretary-General\u2019s report on Afghanistan, Pakistan\u2019s envoy said it appeared to \u201clargely externalise the responsibility for Afghanistan\u2019s multifaceted challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
The envoy criticised casualty reporting, noting that \u201cthe fatalities of terrorists and their supporters as a result of CT operations are mentioned within the ambit of \u2018civilian casualties\u2019,\u201d raising concerns about UNAMA\u2019s credibility.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy added that UN reporting lacked sufficient operational context. \u201cUNAMA is swift in reporting incidents of cross-border actions and casualties but fails to provide the overall context,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On border management, the envoy clarified that humanitarian flows remained unaffected. \u201cThe closure of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan does not\u2026 affect the movement of humanitarian supplies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He highlighted Pakistan\u2019s long-standing role in hosting refugees: \u201cFor over four decades, Pakistan welcomed millions of Afghan refugees despite limitations and insufficient international support,\u201d adding that these arrangements were \u201cnever meant to be indefinite stays.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s envoy urged the international community to assume greater responsibility for Afghanistan\u2019s stability. \u201cThe international community must step up and shoulder its responsibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He concluded by reiterating Pakistan\u2019s core position: \u201cPakistan’s demand from the Taliban is simple and clear: verifiable and non-reversible action against terrorists\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegrettably, this demand remains unmet. The window for course correction is narrowing but is still open,\u201d the envoy said.<\/p>\n
Reply to India<\/p>\n
In a sharp right of reply, Pakistan again addressed remarks made during the Council debate, with the envoy questioning the legitimacy of Afghanistan\u2019s representation. The Ambassador said he was \u201ccompelled to respond\u201d and referred to the Afghan seat holder, saying, \u201cMr Faik is occupying the seat\u2026 but he is not representing anyone from Afghanistan.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that another speaker present, Ms Mehran, \u201cis actually representing the civil society,\u201d while Faik \u201cdoesn’t even have those credentials\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPakistan’s actions, including those conducted in March, were directed solely against the terrorist and military support infrastructure that is operating from Afghanistan,\u201d he said. He stressed that it is in no way directed against the people of Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
He detailed the targets, saying they included \u201cdrone storage and technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage sites\u201d used for attacks against Pakistan. \u201cThe strikes were precise, deliberate and professional,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cno hospital or drug rehabilitation centre or civilian facility was targeted\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistan had released video evidence. \u201cVideo footage of all six strikes was released\u2026 clearly showing the nature of the targets,\u201d he said, adding that \u201csecondary explosions\u2026 confirmed that ammunition storage facilities were indeed struck.\u201d He rejected contrary claims as false and propaganda.<\/p>\n
Turning to the wider Security Council debate, Iftikhar said discussions at the meeting centred on three core expectations of the international community: \u201cinclusive governance, good governance, human rights, women and girls\u2019 rights, and counterterrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n
He noted broad agreement that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism, adding that there was \u201cperhaps with the exception of one delegate, and that was India\u201d.<\/p>\n
Responding to India\u2019s statement, he said it was not unexpected, describing it as a \u201clong list of so-called development and humanitarian activities\u201d that ultimately became \u201ca long prologue\u2026 to target Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said India\u2019s approach in Afghanistan was driven by a single objective, which he described as \u201cdestabilising Pakistan.\u201d He accused New Delhi of supporting terrorist groups operating against Pakistan, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which he referred to as \u201cFitna al Hindustan\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said the BLA \u201cacts as a proxy of India to perpetrate terrorism inside Pakistan\u201d and alleged it was \u201csupported and financed by India\u201d.<\/p>\n
Referring to India\u2019s position on the Taliban, he said Pakistan had \u201clong observed India\u2019s shifting position,\u201d adding that it was \u201camused\u2026 to listen to India\u2019s newfound love for the Taliban,\u201d which he linked to Pakistan\u2019s counterterrorism gains in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
He also criticised India for not condemning terrorist groups operating against Pakistan, saying: \u201cNot once did the representative of India condemn the TTP or the BLA\u201d.<\/p>\n
Citing security losses, he said more than 1,200 Pakistanis were killed in terrorist attacks last year, describing the victims as people \u201cwith families\u2026 with hopes for a better future.\u201d He added that India\u2019s position at the Council reflected an attempt to deflect responsibility, saying it was \u201ctrying to mask its own involvement in this bloodshed\u201d.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to defend itself, stating: \u201cWe have stopped them before and we will do it again, and we will do it always”.<\/p>\n
On Kashmir, he said India remained in \u201cillegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir\u201d and accused it of being a \u201cserial violator of international law,\u201d citing what he described as \u201cgross and systematic violations of human rights\u201d in the region and the persecution of minorities, including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs.<\/p>\n
He also criticised India\u2019s media environment, saying it was under \u201ctotal control of the BJP\u201d.<\/p>\n
On broader allegations, he said India was \u201copenly aiding, abetting and financing terrorism elsewhere,\u201d and referred to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a violation of international law.<\/p>\n
Concluding his remarks, he urged reflection from New Delhi, saying India should \u201cdo a little bit of introspection,\u201d and reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any attempts to \u201cnourish terrorists and threaten our national security\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan called on Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban authorities to take \u201cverifiable and non-reversible action\u201d against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, as its envoy to the United Nations accused India of backing terrorists and using Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan during a UN Security Council debate on Monday. Addressing the UN Security Council, Pakistan\u2019s Permanent Representative to the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4436"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4441,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4436\/revisions\/4441"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistantimesusa.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}