In light of escalating cross-border attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Pakistan has called upon the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to urge the interim Afghan government to sever its connections with the outlawed outfit. Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasized the urgency of this action during a UNSC meeting.
The recent surge in terrorist activities has prompted Pakistan to seek international intervention, particularly as fatalities from attacks and counter-terror operations have reached a six-year peak. The TTP’s utilization of advanced weaponry has further heightened concerns, necessitating a thorough investigation into the group’s financing and acquisition of modern arms.
Ambassador Akram highlighted the potential global threat posed by the TTP, especially with support from Al-Qaeda and other state-sponsored entities. He underscored the imperative for the interim Afghan government to assert control over its territory to prevent terrorist incursions into Pakistan.
Addressing allegations of forced expulsion of Afghan refugees, Ambassador Akram clarified that the vast majority had returned voluntarily, with only a small fraction being deported due to involvement in criminal activities or completion of prison terms. He defended Pakistan’s longstanding hospitality toward Afghan refugees while urging the UN to play a more active role in facilitating their repatriation.
The situation underscores the complex security dynamics in the region and the imperative for coordinated international efforts to address terrorism and refugee crises effectively.
