Kabul’s belligerent rhetoric not in regional interest: Maleeha

Envoy says Pakistan continues to face threats from Taliban from across border

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi on Wednesday called on Afghanistan to ensure that its territory is not used by anyone to foment terrorism, saying Pakistan continues to encounter threats from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its backers from across the border.

Speaking in the UN Security Council, Ambassador Lodhi also asked the Afghan government to halt its “belligerent rhetoric” in the long-term interest of their country, their people and the region.



“We stand committed to work with the Afghan government for the improvement of our relationship, on the basis of shared values,” the Pakistani envoy said in a debate on the situation in Afghanistan.

At the outset, Ambassador Lodhi joined UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s call on the Afghan leadership to demonstrate a spirit of cooperation to achieve a meaningful peace agreement for the benefit of the Afghan people.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan has asked the UNSC to address the issue of enablers of terrorism including the role of state elements in orchestrating and facilitating the growth of terrorism in the region, Pajhwok reported.

Lodhi’s comments came as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint statement expressed “grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives” - a veiled reference to common neighbour Pakistan.



“They called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India,” the statement said.

The statement came at the end of a meeting between Ghani and Modi in New Delhi. The Afghan president was on a two-day visit to India during which Modi pledged $1 billion in financial help to Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2016.