At a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on global terrorist threats, Pakistan’s permanent representative, ambassador Munir Akram, serious concerns about the use of Afghan land of terrorist groups aimed at Pakistan and the wider region.

Speaking on the semi-annual USC session, based on the UN Secretary-General’s reports of threats made by ISIL (DA’ESH), AL-QAIDA, and their affiliated companies emphasized ambassador Akram that despite international terrorist efforts, groups such as they Forbidden Tehreek- E-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Daesh (ISIL-K) and Majeed Brigade continue to operate from safe ports in Afghanistan.

Confirmed Pakistan’s obligation to eradicate terrorism and said ambassador Akram, “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. For more than four decades we have been at the forefront of global fighting opponents in the region”.

He highlighted Pakistan’s victims and noted that the country has lost 80,000 lives and suffered enormous financial damage due to terrorist activities.

He also reminded the council that “al-Qaeda ‘core’ was decimated in Afghanistan, largely because of Pakistan’s efforts,” but warned that several of its offshoots had come elsewhere, including in Africa.

With reference to reports from the UN Secretary General and 1267 ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee emphasized Ambassador Akram that “Afghanistan is the most important hub for ISIL-K’s recruitment and relief.”

He certainly rejected any proposal that Pakistan is a recruitment place for Daesh who claims, “We are fighting against Daesh, we are fighting TTP and we are fighting against Majeed Brigade and we will continue to do so with determination.”

He expressed disappointment that although the discussion in the Council recognized the Daesh threat, “the threat made up Pakistan of TTP and Majeed Brigade has not been mentioned by our colleagues around the table”.

He urged the council to take these threats seriously and emphasized that these groups are not only a danger to Pakistan, but to the whole region and beyond.

Ambassador Akram emphasized that strategies for fighting terrorism must tackle the fundamental causes of extremism that include “poverty, injustice, long -term unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation and denial of the right to self -determination”.

He specifically pointed to “the occupied territories in Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir” as examples where unresolved conflicts continue to burn radicalization.