UNSC extends Afghan mission
Pakistan on Monday supported a United Nations Security Council resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for three months but warned that the worsening security situation and rising terrorism emanating from Afghan soil remained the most serious challenge confronting the region.
The Security Council extended UNAMA's mandate for only three months instead of the usual one year after the United States sought a broader review of international engagement and assistance in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Explaining Pakistan's vote after the resolution's unanimous adoption, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Usman Jadoon said Islamabad backed UNAMA's role in promoting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan but stressed that the country faced multiple challenges including terrorism, human rights concerns, narcotics and shrinking humanitarian assistance.
"Pakistan has consistently asserted that the foremost among the challenges faced in Afghanistan is the deteriorating security situation and exponential rise in the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan," Jadoon told the Council.
He said elements within the Taliban administration were either collaborating with or providing a permissive environment to several militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, Al Qaeda and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which continue to operate inside Afghanistan and carry out cross-border attacks.
The Security Council resolution itself expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan that "continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security" and called on the Taliban authorities to take "active, immediate, demonstrable and concrete measures" to combat terrorism in all its forms.
Pakistan also urged UNAMA to closely monitor the security dynamics in Afghanistan, including the illicit economy and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, warning that their diversion to militant groups posed a serious regional threat.
Jadoon further cautioned against disinformation spread by certain Taliban elements that he said created obstacles for UNAMA personnel across the country, while expressing hope that the mission would objectively report developments on the ground, taking into account the legitimate security concerns of Afghanistan's neighbouring states.
The mission, established in 2002 following the fall of the first Taliban regime, normally receives annual extensions, although there was a six-month renewal in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power.
China, which serves as the Council's penholder on Afghanistan, said the shorter extension would allow time for discussions on possible adjustments to UNAMA's mandate.
At a Council meeting last week, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz argued that the body must carefully review the mission's budget - the largest among UN special political missions - citing Taliban obstruction of UNAMA's work, detention of foreign nationals and severe restrictions on women's rights.
Despite the political debate over its future, UN officials say the mission remains crucial as Afghanistan faces one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.
The acting head of UNAMA, Georgette Gagnon, recently warned that Afghanistan's humanitarian needs were "urgent," noting that aid agencies aim to assist 17.5 million Afghans in 2026 through a $1.71 billion appeal that is currently only about 10% funded.
According to the World Food Programme, more than 17 million Afghans - nearly one-third of the population - are facing acute food shortages, including 4.7 million at emergency levels of hunger.
Pakistan said it hoped the three-month extension would allow the Security Council to review UNAMA's role in a way that ultimately supports the long-term goal of a stable Afghanistan "at peace with itself and its neighbours."