Pakistan Accuses Taliban Officials of Collaborating with Terrorist Groups
Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations has claimed that certain elements within the Taliban administration are cooperating with terrorist groups and providing them safe havens—an issue he says has increased security threats in the region.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad made these remarks during a UN Security Council meeting on the renewal of the mandate for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). He stated that one of Afghanistan’s most serious current challenges is the rising threat of terrorism, which, according to him, originates from Afghan soil and directly affects neighboring countries, especially Pakistan.
He added that the recent Security Council resolution reflects the council’s concerns about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which continue to pose a threat to international peace and security. The Pakistani representative alleged that some elements within the Taliban administration actively collaborate with several groups and have provided them with immunity.
He named Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, Al-Qaeda, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement as active groups in Afghanistan, claiming that many of these groups are responsible for cross-border attacks against civilians, security forces, and infrastructure in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the presence and activities of armed groups in Afghanistan have always been a major concern for the international community. Critics argue that the Taliban administration has so far failed to provide transparency or take effective action to curb these threats—an issue that could undermine Afghanistan’s international legitimacy and political engagements.
The Pakistani envoy further emphasized that UNAMA should encourage the Taliban administration to fulfill its international commitments regarding counter-terrorism, human rights, and establishing inclusive governance frameworks. He also called on the mission to support efforts to prevent the smuggling and illicit transfer of light weapons within Afghanistan and the region.
Highlighting the delay in appointing a new UN Secretary-General Special Representative and head of UNAMA, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad urged the UN Secretary-General to fill the post, which has been vacant since last year, as soon as possible. He also stressed the need for UNAMA to provide objective, evidence-based reports and said that the security concerns of neighboring countries should be reflected in the mission’s assessments.
The Taliban administration has not yet officially responded to these claims. Previously, it stated that it would not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country but simultaneously emphasized that Islamabad should not attribute its own security failures to Kabul.
