At Moscow moot, Pakistan says terrorism remains core of Afghanistan's problems

AI Summary

Pakistan’s Special Representative Mohammad Sadiq told the Moscow Format Consultations that terrorism originating in Afghanistan poses a serious security threat to Pakistan. He accused the Taliban government of tolerating terrorist groups and defended Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations as necessary, defensive measures, while saying Islamabad remains engaged in diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq on Monday said that terrorism remained at the core of Afghanistan’s problems, reaffirming that Pakistan would continue to take “all appropriate measures” for ensuring the safety of its citizens, in accordance with international law. Sadiq made these remarks at the eighth meeting of Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan in the Russian capital. The moot brought together Afghanistan and other countries of the region to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and issues of regional concern, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. Separately, Sadiq posted a transcript of his address at the meeting, according to which he told the moot that the roots of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan were in a “nexus between the Taliban regime and terrorist groups […] that operate with impunity on Afghan soil”. “The situation is worsened by external actors and spoilers who support proxies inside Afghanistan to target Pakistan and other countries in the region,” he added. Sadiq highlighted that five years into the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, “Pakistan faces the most serious security threat.” Over the last three years alone, he said, more than 4,700 Pakistanis had been killed due to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. “No country would tolerate such a situation,” he remarked. “Thousands of innocent Pakistani civilians and security personnel have been martyred in the last few years. A result of terrorist attacks planned, financed, supported and carried out from Afghan soil. The Taliban regime is complicit in this. No responsible state can remain passive when its security is repeatedly undermined. and its people are viciously targeted.” The special representative said Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations were conducted in response to the terrorist attacks being perpetrated from Afghan soil. “These operations are precise, intelligence-based and defensive in nature. Pakistan’s actions are in exercise of its right to self-defence, to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. These actions are directed solely against the terrorist outfits based in Afghanistan that pose a threat to the region and beyond.” Sadiq continued that Pakistan had been, and would continue to take “all appropriate measures to uphold the safety and security of its citizens in accordance accordance with with international law, and based on the principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort”. “All measures taken by Pakistan constitute legitimate defensive actions against sanctuaries and bases used for planning, training and launching terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. “The scale and scope of our actions represent restraint, particularly in light of the severity of the challenge we face.” Sadiq said Islamabad desired peace in the region and had “remained patiently engaged” in political and diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. “It is unfortunate that Pakistan’s numerous goodwill gestures and highly responsible approach were misconstrued, resulting in increased terrorist attacks from Afghan soil, with the active support and backing of the Taliban regime. “Pakistan reiterates its strong resolve and determination to uproot the menace of terrorism emanating from across the border. We call upon the Afghan authorities to end the impunity with which terrorist groups continue to operate from their soil,” he said. Sadiq also expressed hope that “countries in the region will work together to address the sources of instability in our immediate neighbourhood, with a view to achieving our collective objectives of regional peace, stability and prosperity”. “We expected the Taliban regime would take concrete and verifiable actions against those terrorist groups. Regrettably, they failed to act in complete disregard for the legitimate security concerns of Pakistan and other countries. We hope that the Taliban will honour their commitments made to the international community,” he said. Sadiq said Pakistan and Afghanistan were immediate neighbours having historical relations and fraternal bonds. “Peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the national interest of Pakistan.” Earlier in his address, Sadiq noted that the meeting was taking place at a “time of immense turmoil”. “The regional and global environment is fraught with challenges. Proliferating crises across the world, the ongoing conflict in West Asia, and disruptions in global energy markets have put unprecedented strain on our region and beyond. “At the same time, regional countries remain highly vulnerable to destabilising threats caused by terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal migration, and human trafficking,” he said. He noted that it had been five years since the transition in Afghanistan, with the Afghan Taliban taking the reins in Kabul in August 2021. This represented a “critical milestone” to assess the situation on the ground, he said.