'Afghanistan becoming ISIL-K's hub'
ISLAMABAD:
At a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on global terrorism threats, Pakistan's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, voiced serious concerns over the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups targeting Pakistan and the wider region.
Speaking at the biannual UNSC session, based on the UN Secretary-General's reports on threats posed by ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and their affiliates, Ambassador Akram highlighted that despite international counterterrorism efforts, groups such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Daesh (ISIL-K), and the Majeed Brigade continue to operate from safe havens in Afghanistan.
Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to eradicating terrorism, Ambassador Akram stated, "Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. For more than four decades, we have remained at the forefront of global counterterrorism efforts and been a principal target of terrorist attacks, financed by our adversaries in the region".
He highlighted Pakistan's sacrifices, noting that the country has lost 80,000 lives and suffered enormous economic damage due to terrorist activities.
He also reminded the council that "Al-Qaeda 'Core' was decimated in Afghanistan, largely due to Pakistan's efforts," but warned that several of its offshoots had emerged elsewhere, including in Africa.
Citing reports from the UN Secretary-General and the 1267 ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Akram stressed that "Afghanistan is the main hub for ISIL-K's recruitment and facilitation.".
He firmly rejected any suggestion that Pakistan is a recruitment ground for Daesh, asserting, "We are fighting Daesh, we are fighting the TTP, and we are fighting the Majeed Brigade, and we will continue to do so with determination".
He expressed disappointment that while the discussion at the Council acknowledged the Daesh threat, "the threat posed to Pakistan by the TTP and the Majeed Brigade has not been mentioned by our colleagues around the table".
He urged the council to take these threats seriously, emphasising that these groups are not just a danger to Pakistan but to the entire region and beyond.
Ambassador Akram stressed that counterterrorism strategies must address the root causes of extremism, which include "poverty, injustice, prolonged unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation, and denial of the right to self-determination".
He pointed specifically to "the occupied territories of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir" as examples where unresolved conflicts continue to fuel radicalisation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
PM orders probe after second attack on MNA Mubarak Zeb's house
Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mubarak Zeb Khan. Photo: Radio Pakistan A rocket attack was carried out on the residence of Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mubarak Zeb Khan, in Bajaur district late Friday night — the second such incident in a month — prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an immediate investigation and arrest of those responsible. According to Express News, unknown assailants fired a rocket at the MNA's house around 1am, which exploded near the main gate. While no casualties were reported, the explosion caused partial damage to the entrance of the residence. District Police Officer (DPO) Bajaur, Waqas Rafiq, confirmed the incident and said that a probe had been launched. 'Police teams have initiated immediate investigations,' he added. ایک دفعہ پھر میرے گھر کو رات کی تاریکی میں شرپسندوں نے راکٹ حملہ کردیا۔ الحمدللہ کوئ جانی نقصان نہیں ہوا۔ — Mubarak Zeb Khan (@MubarakZeb22) June 13, 2025 In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khan said: "Once again, miscreants launched a rocket attack on my house under the cover of darkness. Alhamdulillah, there was no loss of life." PM Shehbaz, in a statement on Saturday, strongly condemned the attack and expressed relief that no lives were lost, Radio Pakistan reported. He directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident without delay and ensure those behind the attack are brought to justice. Separately, the MNA issued a strong message, saying such 'cowardly acts' would not deter him from serving the people of the region. Khan said the attack bore the hallmarks of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which had also claimed responsibility for an earlier attack on his residence on May 14. Read more: Bomb blast hits MNA's home in Bajaur At the time, an improvised explosive device (IED) had been planted at the house's main gate, which was destroyed in the resulting blast. Khan noted that threatening calls and messages from international numbers had been received in recent days. 'The involvement of a banned outfit near the Pak-Afghan border, potentially with the support of some local elements, cannot be ruled out,' he said. Highlighting possible motives behind the attacks, he said he was committed to using all available resources for the uplift of Bajaur, and such actions were aimed at sabotaging the ongoing development efforts in the area. 'They contacted us through international numbers and issued threats to halt the developmental activities. But we are not afraid. The development of Bajaur will not stop.' 'We have confronted such elements in the past and will continue to do so. We will not back down from our mission to serve the people of this region,' he added.
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Debate opens in Senate amid fierce criticism
The budget debate in the Senate commenced with a blistering criticism from Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, who blasted the government's economic policy, calling the budget "controversial by birth" and a reflection of incompetence and unprofessionalism. "This is the fourth budget of this installed regime, and it has broken all previous records of misgovernance," Faraz said, accusing the government of fabricating data and manipulating figures. "The numbers in this budget seem compromised ... it's a statistical deception. In the past, budget figures were never questioned, but this time doubts are widespread," he added. Faraz went on to say the current budget had "shattered the foundations" of Pakistan's already fragile economy. Referring to the controversial February 8 elections, he alleged that just as the government had manipulated numbers, it was playing the same game with the budget. He lamented that in Punjab, farmers were forced to dump wheat on the roads, calling it a failure of the state to protect agriculture. "They've destroyed the agriculture sector and stifled industry. How can growth happen when even Letters of Credit (LCs) aren't being opened?" he said. "There is no coherent policy for industrial development, only discouragement." "This is an IMF-dictated, anti-people budget. We've heard the 'South Asian Tiger' fantasy before. It's time to stop selling old fables," said Faraz, while lambasting the planning minister for "insultingly linking PTI with India". "PTI is not an anti-state party," he said. "How can a country progress when people can't even access the internet?" He denounced the government as a product of "Form-47 legitimacy", saying true representatives would never have presented such a budget. Shibli Faraz said that 61 million people fell below the poverty line post-2022 and that unemployment had surged by 14 million. He noted the lack of foreign direct investment and even remarked that "the Afghan currency is now stronger than the Pakistani rupee". He slammed the imposition of taxes on stationery and questioned the government's understanding of public priorities, citing the number of out-of-school children and deteriorating public services. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb briefed the Senate Finance Committee on the budget, pushing back against the opposition's accusations. He revealed that India's director at the IMF Board had tried to delay Pakistan's recent funding approval, but "despite Indian objections, $700 million was approved". Aurangzeb asserted that Pakistan had met World Bank benchmarks and that the IFC had approved additional financing. "We expect policy rates to enter single digits this fiscal year," he added, saying fiscal and structural reforms, particularly in SOEs and energy, were showing results. He acknowledged that privatisation targets had not been met this year but expressed optimism for the next fiscal. "We have tried to reduce the burden on the salaried class and cut transaction taxes in the construction sector," Aurangzeb said. "On agricultural tax, the IMF has agreed to our stance following the prime minister's directive."
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Top US general praises 'phenomenal partner' Pakistan
Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination to become Commander of Central Command during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, February 8, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE Listen to article In a stunning rebuke to the Indian attempts seeking Pakistan's international isolation, a top US general on Tuesday publicly praised Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in the global fight against terrorism and insisted Washington must not ignore Pakistan while pursuing strategic ties with India. The testimony of General Michael Kurilla, Commander Central Command (CENTCOM), was seen as a major diplomatic win for Pakistan at a time when India was trying to build a narrative that Islamabad was sponsoring terrorism. The testimony stands in sharp contrast to persistent efforts, particularly from Indian lobbying groups, to paint Pakistan as an unreliable partner in the fight against terrorism. Gen Kurilla's candid remarks not only validate Pakistan's ongoing sacrifices but may also recalibrate the tone of future US policy in South Asia. Gen Kurilla's statement before the House Arms Services Committee led to a meltdown in India where the media and commentators questioned the US loyalty. The CENTCOM chief terming ISIS-Khorasan the most active terrorist groups, said the Afghan Taliban went after them and pushed "a lot of them into the trial areas on the Afghan-Pakistan border". "Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistanthey (Pakistan) have gone after ISIS Khorasan, killing dozens of them," he told lawmakers. "Through our relationship we have with them, and providing intelligence, they have captured at least five ISIS Khorasan high-value individuals. They extradited back Jafar, who is one of the key individuals behind the Abbey Gate bombing," he added. "And the first person [ ] the [Pakistani] chief of the army staff Munir [called] me and said, "I've caught him, ready to extradite him back to United States, please tell the Secretary of Defense and the President." "So, we are seeing Pakistan, with limited intelligence that we provide, and go after them using their means to do that, and we're seeing an effect on ISIS Khorasan," General Kurila said. "And I would also tell you that since 2024the beginningPakistan has had over 1,000 terrorist attacks in the western area, killing about 700 security and [2,500] civilians. They have an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world." Gen Kurilla highlighted the staggering toll terrorism continues to take on Pakistan itself, citing over 1,000 terrorist attacks in 2024 alonekilling approximately 700 security personnel and 2,500 civilians. "They have an active counterterrorism fight right now," he stated. "And they've been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world." The CENTCOM chief emphasized that Pakistan's efforts over the last several months have severely degraded ISIS-K's capabilities. According to intelligence gained through interrogations and exploitation of captured militants, the terrorist group is currently at a "low point", though it still poses a transnational threat. "These are the same individuals that carried out the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow and the bombing in Kerman, Iran," Kurilla said. "There are even ties to plots against the U.S. homeland, which I can discuss in a classified setting." In a significant diplomatic note, Gen Kurilla rejected the idea that US relations in South Asia must be zero-sum between India and Pakistan. "It's not a binary switch," he asserted. "We can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has." Paul Kapur Paul Kapur, US President Donald Trump's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that he would prioritise security cooperation with Pakistan where it aligns with US interests. He also expressed intent to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral collaboration in trade and investment, He previously served on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff during Trump's first term, where he played a role in shaping US strategy in South Asia. Kapur, an academic of Indian origin, acknowledged the region's volatility, referring to the recent escalation between India and Pakistan. He said the crisis was narrowly averted due to "intense engagement" by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "If confirmed, I will pursue security cooperation with Pakistan where it is in America's interest," says Paul Kapur who is set to become Trump's top diplomat on South Asia. On Pakistan, he said that if confirmed, he would "pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to US interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment." He noted that "South Asia recently avoided a costly conflict with Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio intensely engaged on the issue." He added, "If confirmed, I will continue to promote long-standing US security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability and the fight against terrorism."
