RASC News Agency: Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, asserted on Monday, February 10, that Afghanistan has emerged as the primary recruitment hub for ISIS militants. His remarks came in response to statements made by the U.S. representative during a UN Security Council session on counterterrorism. Addressing the session, Akram reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm stance against ISIS, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Baloch insurgents, emphasizing that his country has been at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism for over four decades. Condemning terrorism in all its forms, he underscored the immense human and economic toll Pakistan has endured in this battle, claiming that the country has lost at least 80,000 lives and suffered severe financial setbacks.
Without directly naming India, Akram accused “Pakistan’s regional adversaries” of financing terrorism, asserting that Pakistan has paid a heavy price in countering extremist threats. He further alleged that militant groups operating in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa frequently engaged in suicide attacks and bombings have received external support, exacerbating security challenges. Akram also cautioned about the rising wave of terrorist activities across the world, spanning from Afghanistan to Africa. While acknowledging that the core leadership of al-Qaeda has been neutralized in Afghanistan, he warned that its offshoots continue to thrive, posing a persistent global threat. Urging a unified international response, he stressed the need to address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty and socio-economic instability.
Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding concerns about Afghanistan, Akram emphasized that over 20 terrorist organizations currently operate within Afghanistan territory, turning the country into a safe haven for terrorist financing and training. His remarks were delivered shortly after the U.S. representative at the UN Security Council acknowledged that ISIS has successfully expanded its recruitment network in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, posing a serious global security challenge. Meanwhile, the Taliban have previously accused Pakistan of leveraging ISIS as a proxy force against them, further complicating the region’s security dynamics.
