By Farman Ullah
Pakistan has boldly spoken out at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about the growing threat of terrorism coming from Afghanistan. Munir Akram, Pakistan’s representative to the UN, clearly stated that Afghanistan is providing safe havens for militant groups.
The Pakistani representative pointed out that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has become a powerful umbrella organization for many terrorist groups in the region. With an estimated 6,000 fighters, the TTP is rapidly gaining strength by forming alliances with other terrorist outfits, including Al Qaeda, ISK, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade.
Unfortunately, these groups seem to be operating freely in Afghanistan, despite promises from the Taliban authorities to eliminate them. The Taliban does not seem to realize that these militant groups pose a significant threat to their own existence.
As a result, terrorist attacks on Pakistan have increased by almost 45% in 2024. This not only affects regional peace and security but also hinders economic progress. Pakistan’s UN representative emphasized that the Taliban authorities are complicit in these cross-border attacks.
To address this issue, Ambassador Akram proposed a stronger and more coordinated counter-terrorism strategy. Pakistan has consistently taken a strong stance against terrorism, as evident from its recent arrest and extradition of a suspect involved in the Kabul Airport bombing.
The recovery of weapons capable of mass destruction from TTP bases in Pakistan, which were abandoned by US forces during their withdrawal from Afghanistan, highlights the urgency of the situation. The increasing violence within Pakistan and skirmishes at the Torkham border further support Ambassador Akram’s assessment that Afghanistan must take responsibility for addressing this issue.
Rather than being stubborn, Afghanistan should take immediate action to address the growing threat of terrorism.