Pakistan Envoy at UN Urges Action as Cross-Border Terror Attacks Surge from Afghanistan

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted the “exponential rise” of cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghanistan and claimed that the situation has become “intolerable for Pakistan.”

His remarks came against the backdrop of a series of coordinated attacks in Balochistan on Saturday. Clearing operations following the attacks continued on Sunday, during which Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported 145 militants killed over a span of 40 hours.

Pakistan has been vocal about its concerns regarding the presence of terrorists in Afghanistan and accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring them. Islamabad repeatedly urged Kabul to rein in terrorist outfits operating from Afghan soil.

In an interview with Dawn on Sunday, Ambassador Ahmad reiterated that the Afghan Taliban are sheltering militant groups active against Pakistan. He emphasized India’s long-standing support for proxy elements active from Afghan territory.

Pakistan has also been critical of the UN Secretary-General’s earlier remarks, stating that the international community expected the Afghan Taliban to ensure Afghan soil is not used for cross-border terrorism. The Doha agreement in 2020, which paved the way for US withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades, committed Kabul to preventing militant groups from using its territory to threaten Pakistan and other countries.

A recent article in Foreign Affairs highlighted that terrorist violence in Pakistan has surged since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The magazine described the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as “the most worrisome flashpoint in South Asia today.”

According to a report by Pakistani research organizations, 2025 was the deadliest year for terrorism in Pakistan in a decade. Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) experienced a sharp rise in attacks, contributing to this upward trend.

The article noted that mediation efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan—including talks facilitated by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia—have failed to secure a lasting Taliban commitment to rein in the TTP. Cross-border strikes and retaliatory exchanges have further heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, raising fears of a broader confrontation.

Ambassador Ahmad pointed out the Taliban’s reported “large presence” of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan alongside Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)—designated as Fitna-al-Hindustan by the state—and their attacks against Pakistan from Afghan soil. He reiterated that this situation is “intolerable for Pakistan.”

In response, Ambassador Ahmad stressed the need to take all necessary steps to counter and eliminate these threats. He asserted that external support—including India’s long-standing involvement—is enabling terrorist activities. The envoy noted concerns echoed by Security Council members during their most recent meeting on Afghanistan.

Ambassador Ahmad accused the Taliban authorities of complicity: both failing to prevent such activities and actively supporting and collaborating with these elements. He highlighted India’s continued support for proxy groups active against Pakistan, noting that this warming relationship between the Afghan and Indian governments could further destabilize regional security dynamics.