United Nations, 10 December 2025 — Pakistan delivered one of its strongest statements in recent years at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on the situation in Afghanistan, warning that terrorism emanating from Afghan territory has become the “gravest threat” to Pakistan’s national security and regional stability.
Speaking at the UNSC briefing, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, outlined Islamabad’s deep security concerns. Including extensive humanitarian contributions and continued diplomatic engagement despite “serious apprehensions” regarding Taliban conduct since their takeover in August 2021.
He noted that expectations from the Taliban were clear that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism against any state. Yet, those commitments have been repeatedly violated.
“Afghanistan is once again a safe sanctuary for terrorist groups.”
“Today, Afghanistan is once again a safe sanctuary for terrorist groups and proxies, with devastating consequences and mounting security challenges for its immediate neighbors, particularly Pakistan, and the region and beyond,” he noted.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar elaborated that instead of progress, Pakistan saw “a steep surge in terrorist attacks against Pakistan; planned, financed and orchestrated using Afghan soil under their watch.”
This year alone Pakistan has lost nearly 1,200 lives to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
Quoting verified UN findings, he reminded the Council, “Terrorism emanating from Afghan soil poses the gravest threat to Pakistan’s national security and sovereignty. Terrorist entities including ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda, TTP, ETIM, BLA and Majeed Brigade enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan’s territory, with dozens of terrorist camps enabling cross-border infiltration and violent attacks including suicide bombings.”
He noted that TTP alone maintains almost 6,000 fighters inside Afghanistan.
Ambassador Iftikhar further warned of foreign interference “One detractor in the region, opportunist and spoiler as ever, has moved fast to intensify its sponsorship of terrorist activity through material, technical, and financial support to terrorist groups and proxies active against Pakistan from Afghan soil.”
Pakistan’s consistent engagement despite emanating terrorism from Afghanistan
Despite repeated provocations, Pakistan has maintained channels of engagement. “In the spirit of good neighbourliness… Pakistan engaged with the Taliban authorities regularly and throughout this period.”
He highlighted high-level visits, trade and transit concessions, and humanitarian facilitation undertaken this year.
On humanitarian responsibility, he reminded the Council, “No country has suffered from the consequences of decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan more than Pakistan.”
And yet “We will continue to extend all possible assistance to our Afghan brothers and sisters, but the international community must shoulder its responsibility and share this burden more equitably.”
He rejected attempts to shift blame onto Pakistan “Shifting the blame of Afghanistan’s woes to the inflow of Afghan returnees does not reflect ground realities either.”
Ambassador Iftikhar also cited Pakistan’s liberal visa policy: “Just for medical cases alone, we have issued visas to more than 536,000 Afghans since September 2023.”
And stressed Pakistan’s alignment with global concerns “Pakistan fully shares the concerns of the international community on the issue of human rights, particularly women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan.”
“Taliban must act or Pakistan will take all necessary measures.”
Calling for urgent corrective steps, the Ambassador declared, “The Taliban must take concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups based on their soil, failing which Pakistan will take all necessary defensive measures for the protection of its citizens, territory, and sovereignty.”
He urged the Taliban to abandon denial and obstruction: “We hope the Taliban will promote a conducive environment for sincere dialogue that is sensitive to our legitimate security concerns, stop working at cross purposes and come out of a state of denial, which serves no one’s interest.”
Pakistan’s long-standing position: stability is impossible without counterterrorism compliance
Ambassador Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing vision: “Pakistan desires a peaceful, stable, interconnected, and prosperous Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbors.”
But he emphasized that durable peace is impossible without:
- verified counterterrorism actions
- disruption of terrorist sanctuaries
- prevention of cross-border attacks
- respect for women’s and girls’ rights
- international burden-sharing on humanitarian relief
The Ambassador concluded by reminding the Council of Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices “No country desires peace and stability in Afghanistan more than Pakistan.”
Read more: UN Warns Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Under Taliban Rule
