Akram (19459000): Pakistan will take any necessary action against terror groups based in Afghanistan.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to continue taking “all necessary steps” to safeguard the country against terrorist groups in Afghanistan. It also called out Kabul, accusing it of “failing to deal with the threats posed by the region.”
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been straining due to border clashes. Islamabad also demands that Kabul act against TTP, the banned Tehreek i-Taliban Pakistan for launching attacks on Pakistani soil from Afghanistan. Kabul has denied the accusations.
During the UN Security Council briefing yesterday on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Permanent UN Representative Ambassador Munir Akram stated that “Pakistan continues to take the necessary steps to eliminate terrorist threats to national security within the framework of our rights to self-defence and the resolutions relevant to the Security Council.”
He said that Kabul authorities “failed” to deal with the threats posed by terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and TTP, and Baloch terrorists including the BLA and Majeed Brigade (so-called Balochistan liberation army) who are in Afghanistan.
The ambassador said that the TTP is Afghanistan’s largest terrorist organization, with more than 6,000 members.
Envoy reiterated last year’s warning that the banned group was perceived as “having Kabul’s patronage”. It was also quickly emerging as a umbrella organization for terrorist groups in regional areas.
He claimed that Pakistan has evidence that the Kabul authorities “not only tolerate but are complicit” in the TTP terrorist cross-border attack.
Akram also stated that TTP collaborated with other terrorists groups in Afghanistan like the BLA, and Majeed Brigade. He added that Majeed Brigade sought to undermine Pakistan’s relationship with China.
The envoy made an obvious reference to India when he said, “Our principal enemy also provides external funding and support for the TTP.”
Akram added: “Pakistan is suffering the negative impacts of all the crises Afghanistan experienced in the last 40 years, including the millions of Afghan refugees who were infected with extremist groups, and the influx of drugs and arms.”
He said that during the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, the conflict lasted 20 years. Pakistan has always advocated for engagement, and tried to achieve a peaceful, inclusive resolution.
The ambassador spoke about the limitations on girls and women in Afghanistan during his speech, saying that these restrictions are also contrary to Islam. He said that the human rights situation is a self-inflicted wound.
The 35th Report of the Analytical and Sanctions Monitory Team, submitted last month to the UNSC, stated that the Afghan Taliban continued to support the TTP which was fueling the group’s increasing attacks in Pakistan.
UN Report: “The scale of TTP’s attacks has significantly increased in Pakistan” but the status and strength in Afghanistan have not changed.
The statement confirmed the Afghan Taliban’s continued support of the TTP, which is now illegal. This includes “logistical space and operational assistance as well as financial aid to bolster the group’s ability to continue its activities”.
Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan’s Army in January of this year said that the TTP was present and there were cross-border terrorist attacks.
In the month prior, Shehbaz sharif had, in addition to reiterating the need for better relations with Afghanistan and urging the Kabul administration to rein in TTP, also stressed that this must be done first by the Kabul government.
The TTP, in November 2022 broke the fragile ceasefire with the Pakistani Government, pledging to intensify attacks throughout the country, targeting police, security, and law enforcement agencies.
In response to the escalating violence, Pakistan intensified its military operations, “Azm i Istehkam”, which targeted TTP hideouts on both sides of Afghanistan’s border, primarily in Paktika, and Khost. The military actions include cross-border raids as well as retaliatory attacks.
