Pakistan Vows Self-Defence Response to Terror Threats From Afghanistan
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: Pakistan has told the United Nations Security Council that it will respond in self-defence “as and when needed” to terrorism it says originates from Afghanistan, while insisting that any such action would be taken in accordance with international law.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, made the remarks during a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on September 16. He said Pakistan could not remain passive in the face of what he described as a continuing terrorist threat.
“We will respond in self-defence, as and when needed and in accordance with international law,” Ahmad told the council.
The ambassador accused Afghanistan of once again becoming a safe haven for multiple terrorist organisations that, according to Islamabad, operate from Afghan territory. He linked Pakistan’s concerns to groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). These allegations represent Pakistan’s position; the available reporting reviewed here does not independently establish Taliban support for those groups.
Ahmad told the Security Council that more than 4,700 Pakistanis had been killed over the past three years in terrorism that Islamabad attributes to threats emanating from Afghanistan. The figure was presented by Pakistan’s envoy and should therefore be understood as an official Pakistani claim.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to take what it describes as “concrete and verifiable” action against militant organisations. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has similarly maintained that Afghan territory must not be used to launch attacks against Pakistan.
The Pakistani envoy also addressed Afghanistan’s humanitarian and political situation. He cited concerns over human rights, political inclusivity, economic pressures and restrictions affecting women and girls, while saying Pakistan had continued facilitating humanitarian assistance despite its disputes with the Taliban authorities.
Pakistan’s government has previously stated that defensive military action against militant targets would be based on necessity, proportionality and international law. In a February statement, the Foreign Ministry said Pakistan reserved the right to take appropriate measures in self-defence under the UN Charter.
The Taliban authorities have previously rejected or disputed Pakistani allegations that Afghanistan provides support or sanctuary to militants attacking Pakistan. The continuing dispute over cross-border militancy remains a major source of tension between the neighbouring countries.
