Pakistan featured prominently this week in discussions at the United Nations on the expanding threat of terrorism spilling over from Afghanistan, as both China and the UN secretary general warned that militant violence continues to destabilise the region.
Speaking at a high-level briefing on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia on Friday, China’s Ambassador to the UN, Sun Lei, said that although Central Asia remains largely stable, it is increasingly impacted by cross-border terrorist activity.
“While the region is generally stable, it continues to face serious challenges from the spillover of terrorist threats,” the envoy said, pointing to recent militant attacks in Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan that require “high vigilance”.
Highlighting concerns long raised by Islamabad, Ambassador Sun stressed the need for closer coordination with Afghanistan. He urged stronger engagement with Kabul to ensure the country does not once again become a sanctuary for terrorist groups and to collectively prevent the return of foreign fighters.
The Chinese diplomat also emphasised the role of development in addressing extremism, calling for faster implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to tackle the underlying causes of terrorism.
UN raises alarm
Similar warnings were voiced a day earlier by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during a briefing in New York. While reiterating the UN’s commitment to four core objectives in Afghanistan, he expressed dissatisfaction with the Taliban’s lack of progress on inclusivity, human rights and regional security.
“We must ensure that Afghan institutions are inclusive, with representation from all ethnic groups and all segments of society,” Guterres said, describing inclusivity as essential for lasting peace.
On women’s rights, he voiced strong concern over ongoing restrictions, particularly those limiting women’s ability to work. He noted that while UN Undersecretary General Rosemary DiCarlo had secured permission for female UN staff to operate in the field, they remain barred from working at headquarters. He called the Taliban’s failure to meet international expectations “unacceptable”.
Addressing security issues, the UN chief warned about militant groups operating from Afghan territory. He singled out the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), expressing concern over its activities and the support it may be receiving under the Taliban’s rule.
Guterres acknowledged progress in curbing drug trafficking since the Taliban’s return to power, but said advances in other key areas were lacking. “On the remaining fronts, we see little movement on issues that are critically important,” he said.
Pakistan has experienced a significant surge in terrorist attacks in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Authorities attribute much of the violence to cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
Security analysts say the revitalised TTP and allied militant groups have stepped up attacks within Pakistan while allegedly operating from safe havens across the Afghan border.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on the international community to pressure Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by militants targeting Pakistan, arguing that peace in the region — and beyond — depends on stability in Afghanistan.