Pak accuses India of proxy warfare

UNITED NATIONS:

Pakistan called on Afghanistan's Taliban authorities to take "verifiable and non-reversible action" against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, as its envoy to the United Nations accused India of backing terrorists and using Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan during a UN Security Council debate on Monday.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said Pakistan had consistently supported Afghanistan through humanitarian relief, political engagement and efforts to strengthen bilateral trade.

Pakistan's envoy said that in support of what he described as "our Afghan brethren," Islamabad had taken "numerous steps to support Afghanistan, including humanitarian relief efforts, political engagement, and providing incentives to boost bilateral trade."

It was expected after the end of the civil war that the Taliban would evolve into a responsible governing authority. "It was anticipated that the Taliban would take positive steps to transform into a responsible governing authority by adhering to their international obligations and commitments," the envoy said.

However, Pakistan's envoy warned that terrorism remained deeply entrenched in Afghanistan, with implications extending beyond its borders. "For decades, terrorism has been a major problem in Afghanistan, with implications not just for Afghanistan, but the immediate neighbourhood and beyond," he said.

Pakistan's envoy accused the Taliban of reverting to earlier practices. "It is deplorable that the Taliban have reverted to their old tactics of providing safe havens to terrorist groups and chosen the perilous path of complicity," he said.

He also alleged the involvement of an external actor, describing it as a "historic spoiler and instigator of chaos that has moved fast as an opportunist to wage a proxy war against Pakistan."

Pakistan's envoy made clear Islamabad's position, "Pakistan will defend itself against whosoever attempts to harm our sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security."

Reply to India

In a sharp right of reply, Pakistan again addressed remarks made during the Council debate, with the envoy questioning the legitimacy of Afghanistan's representation. Responding to India's statement, he said it was not unexpected, describing it as a "long list of so-called development and humanitarian activities" that ultimately became "a long prologue… to target Pakistan".

He said India's approach in Afghanistan was driven by a single objective, which he described as "destabilising Pakistan." He accused New Delhi of supporting terrorist groups operating against Pakistan, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which he referred to as "Fitna al Hindustan".

He said the BLA "acts as a proxy of India to perpetrate terrorism inside Pakistan" and alleged it was "supported and financed by India".