United Nations, New York | July 8, 2025— On July 8, 2025, during a session at the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan took a firm stand by urging the international community to unite in holding the Taliban accountable. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, emphasized that the terror threat from Afghan soil continues to endanger regional and global security.

The General Assembly convened to debate Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis and adopted a new resolution demanding that the Taliban uphold human rights, especially women’s rights, and prevent terrorist organizations from operating a terror threat from Afghan soil. Pakistan, aligning with the resolution, expressed serious concerns about persistent cross-border terrorism, particularly the activities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan Sounds Alarm on Cross-Border Terrorism

Ambassador Ahmad, while addressing the Assembly, stated clearly, “We must acknowledge that only one power controls the territory of Afghanistan, and there is no significant challenge against it.” He highlighted that despite this control, the Taliban has failed to prevent militant infiltration into neighboring countries. He specifically pointed out that TTP militants continue attempting to cross into Pakistan and launch attacks.

Adding to the gravity of the terror threat from Afghan soil, Ambassador Ahmad disclosed credible intelligence showing collaboration between TTP and other banned groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade. These networks, he warned, aim to sabotage Pakistan’s strategic projects, including major infrastructure and economic initiatives.

The UN resolution received overwhelming support, passing with 116 votes in favor, 12 abstentions, and two opposing votes from the United States and Israel. India notably abstained from voting. The resolution underscored that terrorist entities such as Al-Qaeda, ISIL/Da’esh, ISIL-Khorasan, and TTP continue to operate within Afghanistan. It stressed the need for urgent international cooperation to prevent a terror threat from Afghan soil from becoming a sanctuary for terrorism.

Economic Collapse and Humanitarian Crisis Worsen

Transitioning to humanitarian concerns, Ambassador Ahmad noted that Afghanistan remains in a state of deep instability, even nearly four years after the Taliban returned to power. “Sanctions, economic collapse, poverty, and terrorism continue to plague the Afghan people,” he said.

He called for increased global funding for the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which is severely underfunded at just 15.7% of the required $2.42 billion. Ambassador Ahmad emphasized that neglecting this need would only exacerbate suffering and make the region more vulnerable to violent extremism.

Moreover, he highlighted Pakistan’s burden of hosting millions of Afghan refugees. Since August 2021, over one million undocumented individuals have crossed the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He urged the global community to share this burden more fairly.

The ambassador also addressed the importance of reviving Afghanistan’s economy. He advocated for unfreezing Afghan financial assets and enabling trade and investment as essential steps toward regional stability. Projects like the TAPI gas pipeline, CASA-1000 electricity transmission, the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway, and the proposed extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan were mentioned as key regional connectivity initiatives that require a peaceful and cooperative Afghanistan.

Pakistan Calls for Realistic, Inclusive Approach

Ambassador Ahmad welcomed the UN-led Doha Process and urged the creation of a structured and inclusive framework for engaging with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities. He reiterated that Afghanistan cannot be stabilized through isolation, coercion, or sanctions. “Such measures could worsen poverty and hunger, provoke renewed violence, and trigger a new wave of displacement that neighboring countries cannot manage,” he cautioned.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s alignment with international expectations, he condemned the Taliban’s exclusion of Afghan women and girls from education, employment, and public life. He stressed that these actions violate both Islamic teachings and international human rights standards. “We remain deeply concerned by restrictions on a terror threat from Afghan soil for their women and girls,” he said, adding that Pakistan currently supports around 4,500 Afghan students, including 1,500 girls.

Finally, the ambassador warned that modern weapons left behind by foreign forces have now been used in sophisticated terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. “This illustrates the growing terror threat from Afghan soil, and we will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens,” he declared.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s statement at the UN underscores the pressing need for collective international action to counter the terror threat from Afghan soil. As regional tensions escalate and humanitarian challenges deepen, the world must recognize the urgent need to engage with Afghanistan through diplomacy, accountability, and support for its people to reduce the terror threat from Afghan soil. Failure to act decisively could risk a broader regional crisis that affects far more than just its immediate neighbors.