Warning to Taliban

Pakistan did some plain talking at the UN Security Council when it said that it has every right to defend itself under international law. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, categorically referred to terrorism emanating from across its western frontier and said that the advent of Taliban had made the Southwest Asian state a hub of non-state actors. Islamabad made its case by saying that, as and when desired, it has the right to respond in self-defence in accordance with international law to quell terrorist elements that enjoy official patronage from Kabul.

The world body was debating Afghanistan's security situation five years after the Taliban returned to power. The envoy pointed out that more than 4,700 Pakistanis had lost their lives to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan over the past three years. The reclusive provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have, in particular, borne the brunt of militant violence as foreign infiltration and local abettors work hand in glove with outfits such as BLA, Majeed Brigade, TTP, ISKP and Al Qaeda. This is owing to the fact that Kabul has not been able to stem the rot and failed to act against their safe havens. It failed to uphold the pledges made at Doha in 2020 that its soil would not be used against neighbouring states.

Kabul has been repeatedly criticised by international human rights bodies and UN experts for failing to instal an inclusive government. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the 10-member SCO too are on record, expressing deep concern over the Taliban's discriminatory policies towards Afghan women and girls, while the UN has also warned about the continued presence of terrorist groups in the country. Human Rights Watch had gone to the extent of calling upon the diplomatic community to censure the Taliban and hold back recognition till they put their house in order.

Pakistan, undoubtedly, is a victim of terrorism whose epicentre is in Afghanistan. The occasional closure of crossing points at Torkham and Chaman and the audacity of the Afghan forces to fire on Pakistani troops testify that the regime is unmindful of regional harmony and is a nuisance to its neighbours.