Pakistan urges Taliban to take “verifiable action” against terrorists in UN Security Council

Pakistan urged Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to take “verifiable and irreversible action” against terror groups operating from Afghan territory, as its envoy to the United Nations accused India of supporting terrorists and using Afghanistan to destabilize Pakistan during a UN Security Council debate on Monday.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said Pakistan had consistently supported Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, political engagement and efforts to strengthen bilateral trade.

Pakistan’s envoy said Islamabad, in support of what he described as “our Afghan brothers”, had taken “several steps to support Afghanistan, including humanitarian relief efforts, political engagement and providing incentives to increase bilateral trade.”

It was expected after the end of the civil war that the Taliban would develop into a responsible government authority. “It was anticipated that the Taliban would take positive steps to transform itself into a responsible government authority by complying with its international commitments and obligations,” the envoy said.

However, Pakistan’s envoy warned that terrorism remained deeply rooted in Afghanistan, with implications that extended beyond the country’s borders. “For decades, terrorism has been a major problem in Afghanistan, with implications not only for Afghanistan, but the immediate neighborhood and beyond,” he said.

Pakistan’s envoy said the expectation was that the Taliban would take “concrete and verifiable actions” against terrorist groups, including the TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, ETIM and associated networks operating from Afghan territory.

“It was our expectation that the Taliban would take concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist groups such as TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, ETIM and their affiliates operating with impunity on Afghan soil,” the envoy said.

Instead, Pakistan’s envoy noted, “unfortunately, they have failed to act, showing complete disregard for the legitimate security concerns of Pakistan and other countries.”

Pakistan’s envoy said the consequences could already be felt inside the country. “As a direct result of the freedom with which these terrorist groups operate in Afghanistan, Pakistan has borne the brunt of their attacks as well as the Taliban’s growing connection with these terrorist groups,” the envoy said.

He added that terrorist groups had access to advanced capabilities. “These terrorist groups have access to advanced weapons and sophisticated equipment, including drones,” he said, adding that much of it could be traced to “the multibillion-dollar arms and ammunition left behind by foreign forces”.

Pakistan’s envoy said counter-terrorism operations had revealed extensive recoveries of such weapons. “During our CT operations, there have been more than 290 cases of seizure of such weapons,” he said, noting that they were used in “suicide bombings in the western parts of Pakistan.”

The envoy added that Pakistan had suffered severe losses in 2025. “In 2025 alone, Pakistan suffered more than 5,300 terrorist incidents and lost more than 1,200 lives to terrorism originating from Afghanistan,” he said.

Pakistan’s envoy accused the Taliban of returning to past practices. “It is regrettable that the Taliban have returned to their old tactics of providing safe harbor to terrorist groups and chosen the dangerous path of complicity,” he said.

He also alleged the involvement of an external actor, describing it as a “historical spoiler and instigator of mayhem who has moved swiftly as an opportunist to wage a proxy war against Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s envoy made Islamabad’s position clear, “Pakistan will defend itself against anyone who tries to harm our sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.”

The envoy said Pakistan remained open to diplomacy and continued engagement. “Pakistan has always expressed openness to dialogue. Numerous diplomatic efforts were made to counsel the Taliban,” he said, thanking Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and China for mediation efforts.

However, Pakistan’s envoy said the situation had worsened due to Taliban inaction. The refusal to “publicly condemn and condemn terrorist groups such as TTP and BLA” was described as “deeply disturbing” and evidence of “complicity and active support.”

The envoy added: “Pakistan will not sit idly by while suffering acts of terrorism. Pakistan will respond in self-defense as and when necessary and always in accordance with international law and IHL.”

Regarding the UN Secretary-General’s report on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s envoy said it appears to “largely externalize responsibility for Afghanistan’s multifaceted challenges.”

The envoy criticized casualty reporting, noting that “deaths of terrorists and their supporters as a result of CT operations are mentioned within the framework of ‘civilian casualties'”, raising concerns about UNAMA’s credibility.

Pakistan’s envoy added that UN reporting lacked sufficient operational context. “UNAMA is quick to report incidents of cross-border actions and casualties, but fails to provide the overall context,” he said.

Regarding border management, the envoy clarified that humanitarian flows remained unaffected. “The closure of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan does not affect the movement of humanitarian supplies,” he said.

He highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing role in hosting refugees: “For over four decades, Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees despite restrictions and inadequate international support,” adding that these arrangements were “never intended as indefinite stays.”

Pakistan’s envoy urged the international community to take greater responsibility for Afghanistan’s stability. “The international community must step up and accept its responsibility,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating Pakistan’s core position: “Pakistan’s demand from the Taliban is simple and clear: verifiable and irreversible action against terrorists”.

“Unfortunately, this requirement remains unfulfilled. The window for course correction is narrowing but remains open,” the envoy said.

Answer to India

In a sharp right of reply, Pakistan again addressed remarks made during the council debate in which the envoy questioned the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s representation. The ambassador said he was “forced to respond” and referring to the Afghan seat holder, said: “Mr Faik occupies the seat … but he does not represent anyone from Afghanistan.”

He added that another speaker present, Ms Mehran, “actually represents civil society”, while Faik “doesn’t even have those credentials”.

“Pakistan’s actions, including those carried out in March, were aimed solely at the terrorist and military support infrastructure operating from Afghanistan,” he said. He emphasized that it is in no way directed at the people of Afghanistan.

He detailed the targets, saying they included “drone storage and technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage sites” used for attacks against Pakistan. “The attacks were precise, deliberate and professional,” he said, adding that “no hospital or drug rehabilitation center or civilian facility was targeted”.

He said Pakistan had released video evidence. “Video footage of all six strikes was released … clearly showing the nature of the targets,” he said, adding that “secondary explosions … confirmed that ammunition depots were indeed hit.” He dismissed contrary claims as false and propaganda.

Regarding the broader debate in the Security Council, Iftikhar said the discussions at the meeting centered on three core expectations of the international community: “inclusive governance, good governance, human rights, women’s and girls’ rights and counter-terrorism”.

He noted broad agreement that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism, adding that there was “perhaps with the exception of one delegate, and that was India”.

Responding to India’s statement, he said it was not unexpected, describing it as a “long list of so-called development and humanitarian activities” that ultimately became “a long prologue… to target Pakistan”.

He said India’s approach in Afghanistan was driven by a single objective, which he described as “to destabilize Pakistan.” He accused New Delhi of supporting terrorist groups operating against Pakistan, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which he referred to as “Fitna al Hindustan”.

He said the BLA “acts as a proxy for India to commit terrorism inside Pakistan” and alleged that it was “backed and funded by India”.

Referring to India’s stance on the Taliban, he said Pakistan had long observed India’s changing position, adding that it was “amused…to listen to India’s newfound love for the Taliban”, which he linked to Pakistan’s fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

He also criticized India for not condemning terror groups operating against Pakistan, saying, “Not even once did India’s representative condemn the TTP or the BLA”.

Citing security losses, he said more than 1,200 Pakistanis were killed in terrorist attacks last year, describing the victims as people “with families … with hope for a better future.” He added that India’s position in the Council reflected an attempt to deflect responsibility, saying it was “trying to mask its own involvement in this bloodshed”.

Reiterating that Pakistan would continue to defend itself, he stated: “We have stopped them before and we will do it again and we will do it always”.

Regarding Kashmir, he said India remained in “illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir” and accused it of being a “serial violator of international law”, citing what he described as “gross and systematic violations of human rights” in the region and the persecution of minorities, including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs.

He also criticized India’s media environment, saying it was under the “total control of the BJP”.

Regarding broader allegations, he said India was “openly aiding, abetting and financing terrorism elsewhere,” and referred to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a violation of international law.

Concluding his remarks, he called for reflection from New Delhi, saying India should “do a little bit of introspection”, and reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any attempt to “feed terrorists and threaten our national security”.