• Pakistan’s success in counterterror offset by ‘permissive environment’ in Afghanistan, diplomat tells UN Security Council
• US pledges backing for Pakistan’s fight against terror groups; both sides discuss steps to strengthen border security, disrupt terrorist facilitation networks
WASHINGTON: Hours after the US assured Islamabad of its support in fighting Afghanistan-based terrorist outfits, Pakistan informed the UN Security Council on Wednesday that multiple terrorist groups continue to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan, posing a growing threat to regional security.
Speaking at a UNSC briefing on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also highlighted Islamabad’s concerns over India-held Jammu and Kashmir, as the council met on the seventh anniversary of India’s August 5, 2019, decision to revoke the region’s special constitutional status.
In his address to the Security Council, Ambassador Ahmad said that while sustained international counterterrorism efforts had degraded the capabilities of groups such as the militant Islamic State group (Daesh), the terrorist threat continued to evolve, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.
He said IS-Khorasan had suffered setbacks, including because of counterterrorism operations by Pakistan, but continued to pose a significant concern, particularly in Afghanistan.
“The situation in Afghanistan remains deeply alarming,” Ambassador Ahmad told the Council. “Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, multiple terrorist groups continue to thrive in that country in an increasingly permissive environment.”
He specifically named the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade, IS-Khorasan and its affiliates, the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and Al Qaeda affiliates as groups that have access to safe havens inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the TTP of using Afghan territory to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistan, a charge that Taliban authorities have rejected. Islamabad has also accused external actors such as India of supporting terrorist groups operating against Pakistan.
The ambassador urged the Taliban authorities to fulfil their obligation to ensure that Afghan territory is not used by any terrorist organisation to threaten other countries. He also called for international action against what he described as external sponsors of terrorism.
Talking about India-held Kashmir, Ambassador Ahmad described the measures imposed on Aug 5, 2019, as a new phase of repression against the Kashmiri people and accused India of committing what he called “state terrorism” in the disputed territory.
He said the international community must show “zero tolerance” for such actions and should not allow counterterrorism efforts to be used as a pretext to suppress what Pakistan describes as legitimate struggles for self-determination.
Counterterror dialogue
The remarks at the UN followed the fourth US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue held on Tuesday in Washington, where both countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating militant organisations and strengthening security cooperation.
The talks were led by US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Gregory LoGerfo and Foreign Ministry Special Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir, according to a joint statement released by the US State Department.
“The dialogue underscored shared interests in the US-Pakistan counter-terrorism partnership and the two countries’ determination to confront terrorism,” the joint statement said.
“Delegations exchanged views on the current threat environment, explored avenues to enhance collaboration, and discussed steps to strengthen border security and disrupt terrorist facilitation networks,” it added.
The statement specifically named IS-Khorasan, Al Qaeda, TTP, and BLA and its affiliates among organisations that both governments said posed threats to regional security.
“The US and Pakistan affirmed their joint resolve to confront terrorist organisations that endanger the safety of their citizens and the stability of the region,” the statement said.
“The two governments committed to ensuring that their counter-terrorism collaboration keeps both nations safe and secure, as part of an enduring vision of regional peace, prosperity and stability,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said the two sides held “extensive deliberations on the regional and global terrorist threat and pledged to deepen counter-terrorism collaboration both bilaterally and at multilateral fora”.
Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026
