Pakistan expressed concern over use of modern arms by terrorist groups

Pakistan has voiced deep concern over the growing possession and use of modern, sophisticated illicit weapons by terrorist groups operating in the region, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and Majeed Brigade. These groups, which utilize safe havens in Afghanistan, continue to launch deadly cross-border attacks into Pakistan, destabilizing the region and threatening the security of its civilians and armed forces.

Speaking at a special UN Security Council meeting, Syed Atif Raza, a Pakistani diplomat, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He stated that these groups now have access to billions of dollars’ worth of illicit arms abandoned in Afghanistan, which are being used to perpetuate violence across the region. This alarming trend has not only escalated the violence in Pakistan but also exacerbated the overall security situation in the region.

“These terrorist armed groups are in possession of billions of dollars worth of illicit arms abandoned in Afghanistan,” said Raza. He also raised concerns about the growing sophistication of these arms and their impact on the stability of the region. The TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade have utilized these weapons to launch attacks against civilians and security forces in Pakistan, with devastating consequences.

The Pakistani diplomat further highlighted the external support these groups receive, a veiled reference to Pakistan’s longstanding adversary, India. He noted that such groups are often financed and equipped by foreign actors, complicating efforts to curb their operations.

Pakistan has called on its international partners to take immediate and decisive action to recover the vast stockpile of abandoned weapons in Afghanistan and prevent them from falling into the hands of armed terrorist groups. The Pakistani delegate urged the international community to address the growing illicit arms trade and close the black market that continues to fuel terrorism in the region.

Raza also emphasized the worsening implications of the increasing sophistication of small arms and light weapons, which are now easily accessible to non-state actors. These weapons, he noted, have become the preferred tools for both state and non-state actors involved in violence and conflict. Pakistan’s concerns have grown further due to the growing ability of illicit arms dealers to provide cutting-edge, modern weaponry to terrorist organizations, which could potentially change the balance of power in the region.

“The involvement of state actors in this illicit arms trade remains a pressing question,” Raza concluded, highlighting the need for a unified global response to counter the growing threat of terrorism fueled by these modern arms.