Pakistan’s UN Ambassador, Munir Akram briefed the UN Security Council on Wednesday, focusing attention on the escalating threat of the TTP to Pakistan and regional security. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan is a different entity from the Afghan Taliban but has intensified its attacks on Pakistani forces since November 2022, when the collapse of a ceasefire took place.
TTP threat to Pakistan: A regional issue
Akram added that the TTP has transformed into an umbrella group, coordinating with groups such as the Majeed Brigade and potentially aligning itself with Al-Qaeda’s global ambitions. Such growing coordination threatens to become a significant security challenge for Pakistan and the region.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict:
Pakistani links fuel Afghan concern regarding Islamabad support to Taliban Over the weekend, there were claims of missile attacks by militant groups across Afghanistan’s Kandahar province from southern Pakistan.
Pakistan protested with the Afghan Interim Government (AIG), alleging that the latter has been providing sanctuaries to militants carrying out operations from Afghan soil. The Kabul regime rejects these charges. Ambassador Akram urged the international community to take note of this new TTP threat to Pakistan while Pakistan reaffirmed support to cooperation in the region in order to eliminate these elements.Human Rights and Inclusivity in Afghanistan
Akram was also concerned about the issues of commitment by the caretaker Afghan government with regard to the rights of women and girls. He again reiterated that inclusivity was of utmost importance in order to provide stability within Afghanistan and further condemned any moves by the government that were designed to restrict women’s rights.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: An Urgent Appeal for Help
Akram highlighted Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis and appealed to the international community to speed up financial assistance. Millions of Afghans are in dire need of support, and Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is still severely underfunded. The ambassador pleaded for economic revival, including an effort to revive Afghanistan’s banking system and stabilize its economy for the betterment of the entire region.
Engagement Strategy with the Taliban
However, Akram urged a more integrated policy towards the Taliban: “Afghanistan needs to fulfill its international commitments.” He said engagement should be made at all costs while being in line with the international community’s goals, such as inclusivity, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian work.
