Pakistan Warns of Terrorist Access to Abandoned NATO Weapons in Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has issued a warning about the potential access of terror groups based in Afghanistan to weapons left behind by foreign forces, calling it a serious threat to Pakistan’s national security and regional stability.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting focused on the proliferation of small arms, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, said: “Groups such as ISIS-Khorasan, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Majid Brigade, which operate freely from Afghan territory without accountability, have used modern weaponry against civilians and Pakistan’s security forces.”
According to Akram, some of these groups—listed as terrorist organizations by the United Nations—have intensified their attacks with the support of foreign funding and backing from regional actors, leading to significant casualties in Pakistan.
He stressed that findings from a recent UN Secretary-General report further highlight these concerns, warning that the presence of stockpiles of advanced weapons in Afghanistan could escalate violence throughout the region.
Pakistan’s envoy urged the international community to take urgent and effective measures to limit terrorist access to illegal arms and called on the Taliban administration to take its international responsibilities seriously in this regard.
Akram also raised alarms over the growing militarization of technology, particularly the development of light weapons using artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and armed drones, describing it as another major challenge in curbing the spread of weapons.
He added: “Full implementation of national and international commitments and enhanced cooperation between countries are essential to prevent arms trafficking and preserve regional and global peace.”
He emphasized that the illegal transfer and accumulation of weapons not only fuels violence and conflict but also threatens the economic and social development of countries in the region. The Taliban administration has yet to respond to these concerns and appears to lack effective control over armed groups operating in Afghanistan.
