Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, sharply criticised remarks by the Afghan and Indian delegations at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on Afghanistan on Monday, accusing them of ignoring the persistent threat of cross-border militancy targeting Pakistan.

Addressing the council, Ahmad said he was “compelled to take the floor again” following statements from the Indian and Afghan representatives, calling India’s criticism “no surprise” and accusing Delhi of pursuing a policy aimed at destabilising Pakistan.

“India’s remarks reflect its animosity towards Pakistan, with the sole objective of its Afghan policy being to destabilise Pakistan,” Ahmad said, accusing India of actively supporting militant groups operating from Afghan soil, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

He added, “We have provided irrefutable evidence of India’s collusion with terrorist groups that are engaged in orchestrating violent attacks against Pakistan. One can sense India’s pain in seeing its heavy investment in the Afghan terrorist franchise going to waste as a result of Pakistan’s precise and effective action against terrorist camps and support bases inside Afghanistan.”

Ahmad further described India as “a serial violator of international law” that has illegally occupied territory, violated the UN Charter and UNSC resolutions, perpetrated state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, systematically marginalised minorities, spread hate, weaponised water to target Pakistan’s population, and deployed disinformation as state policy. “And the list goes on,” he remarked.

The envoy defended Pakistan’s actions, saying, “Our legitimate counter-terrorism operations are not directed against the brotherly people of Afghanistan and are only meant to neutralise the persistent threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. These actions are in full conformity with the right to self-defence and international humanitarian law.”

Ahmad also criticised the Afghan representative, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the chargé d’affaires ad interim at Afghanistan’s UN mission, who spoke of civilian casualties in the Pak-Afghanistan conflict but failed to mention Al-Qaeda, TTP, or other militant groups.

“The so-called representative of Afghanistan… does not represent anyone but himself and must not abuse this forum to pursue his personal agenda,” Ahmad said. He added that Faiq, “sequestered in New York, is completely cut off from ground realities” and selectively commented on issues, ignoring attacks from Afghan territory that have caused casualties among Pakistani civilians, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and infrastructure.

Responding to India’s claims of Pakistani violations, Ahmad said, “While India has long played the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan, Pakistan has engaged responsibly in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan.” He added that these goals can only be achieved if the Taliban regime fulfils commitments on counter-terrorism, inclusive governance, and the protection of Afghan women and girls.

“While India has long played this dangerous game, we will not allow their sabotage and subversion from Afghan soil to nourish and harm Pakistan,” Ahmad concluded.

© Naya Daur