The United Nations and China issued warnings about the spill over of militancy into Pakistan from Afghanistan. The UN and China stated that cross-border militancy posed security challenges to Pakistan.
Pakistan featured prominently in warnings at the United Nations over the growing spillover of militant threats from Afghanistan, as China and the UN chief voiced concern about regional security risks. Officials stressed that cross-border terrorism continues to affect stability, despite broader calm in Central Asia.
Beijing urges tighter engagement with Kabul
Addressing a high-level briefing on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia on Friday, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Sun Lei said the region remained generally stable.
However, he noted that cross-border militancy continued to pose serious challenges. He cited recent attacks in Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan as developments demanding sustained vigilance.
Moreover, Sun echoed Pakistan’s long-standing concerns by calling for deeper engagement with Kabul. He said closer cooperation was essential to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming safe haven for terrorist groups and to address the return of foreign fighters. At the same time, he argued that development remained central to countering extremism, urging faster implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda to address terrorism’s root causes.
Guterres highlights TTP risks under Taliban rule
Earlier in New York, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres raised similar alarms during a separate briefing. While reaffirming the UN’s commitment to Afghanistan, he expressed frustration over the Taliban’s lack of progress on inclusivity, human rights, and regional security. He stressed that inclusive Afghan institutions remained a basic condition for lasting peace.
On security, Guterres warned that militant groups operating from Afghan soil continued to threaten neighboring states. He said the UN was particularly concerned about the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and any support it might receive.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in attacks, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Analysts link much of the violence to cross-border infiltration since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, prompting Islamabad to urge stronger international pressure on Kabul.
