Pakistan’s representative to the UN warned the Security Council that modern weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal are being accessed by terror groups operating from Afghan soil, posing a growing threat to regional peace and security.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on small arms, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said militant groups — including the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army, and the Majid Brigade — have used advanced weaponry against civilians and security forces in Pakistan, resulting in thousands of deaths.
“These terrorist groups operate with impunity from within Afghanistan, using weapons left behind by US forces, backed by foreign financing and regional destabilizers,” he said, calling the situation “a direct threat to peace and security in Pakistan and across the region.”
Citing recent UN findings, Akram said Islamabad remains deeply concerned about the presence of stockpiles of advanced arms and ammunition in Afghanistan. He urged the international community to intensify efforts to prevent unauthorized access to such weapons and to ensure that the Taliban honor their international commitments to combat terrorism and illegal arms trafficking.
“The global community must close the gaps in its response to effectively address these threats,” Akram said.
He also highlighted the evolving nature of warfare and the rise of new technologies, calling them a serious challenge to arms control efforts.
“Curbing the illicit trade in light and small arms and enhancing international cooperation is essential for safeguarding global and regional stability,” Akram said, adding that unchecked arms flows not only fuel violence but also undermine development and exacerbate insecurity far beyond national borders.
The Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, have repeatedly denied that any terror groups are operating from Afghan territory or that foreign groups have access to the US-origin weapons. Taliban officials claim that all remaining arms are under their custody and being “securely maintained.”
Taliban have also insisted that they would not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used against other countries — a claim met with skepticism by regional and international observers amid rising cross-border tensions, particularly with Pakistan.
The UN meeting addressed broader concerns about the proliferation of small arms globally, especially in conflict zones, and emphasized the need for cohesive international strategies to regulate, monitor, and reduce the flow of illegal weaponry.
