Addressing a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, the Pakistani envoy said Islamabad would not remain silent in the face of security threats originating from Afghanistan and targeting Pakistan and its citizens.
He said Pakistan had taken several measures to combat terrorism and continued efforts to address security threats along its border with Afghanistan.
According to Asim Iftikhar, Afghanistan has once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups operating from its territory and carrying out cross-border attacks against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan had consistently taken practical steps to ease the difficulties faced by the Afghan people and had also supported the uninterrupted provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in line with its international responsibilities.
The Pakistani envoy said the situation in Afghanistan was not only a concern for Pakistan or the region, as its consequences extended to regional and global peace and security.
He identified the presence of terrorist groups, the human rights situation, lack of political inclusion and economic difficulties in Afghanistan as serious challenges for the international community.
Asim Iftikhar said alleged links between the Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist groups posed serious security concerns for Pakistan.
He claimed that more than 4,700 Pakistani citizens had been killed in terrorism linked to Afghanistan over the past three years.
Pakistan had expected the Taliban to take concrete, effective and verifiable measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan or any other country, he said, adding that Islamabad believed the desired results had not been achieved.
He said the absence of clear and effective action against terrorist organisations had increased Pakistan’s concerns. He also alleged that the lack of open condemnation of such groups raised questions about the commitment to taking action against them.
The Pakistani representative said Islamabad had consistently preferred dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation in its relations with Afghanistan.
Pakistan had also continued efforts to connect Afghanistan with the region through humanitarian assistance, trade, connectivity and cooperation in other areas, he said.
He urged the international community not to ignore the issue of terrorism in Afghanistan and called for effective measures to address security threats emanating from Afghan territory.
Asim Iftikhar said the next phase of the UN-led Doha process should be used to achieve practical results. He stressed the need for clear objectives, a realistic strategy and a comprehensive approach to address Afghanistan’s complex challenges.
He also described the implementation of a “mosaic approach” as a viable way to help Afghanistan move towards normalisation.
Recent UN reports have also highlighted the presence of groups including the TTP and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in Afghanistan and the regional security threats associated with them.
The Pakistani envoy said Islamabad would continue supporting peace, stability and economic development in Afghanistan while maintaining its humanitarian and fraternal ties with the Afghan people.
However, he stressed that Pakistan would not compromise on its national security or the protection of its citizens.
Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan wanted peaceful and stable relations with Afghanistan, but if Pakistani citizens and state security continued to face terrorist threats, Islamabad would exercise its right to self-defence in accordance with international law.
