Ajmal said the restrictions reflected the Taliban administration’s continued retreat from its international commitments.

Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to take decisive action against terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory, questioning their alleged support for groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and reaffirming Islamabad’s right to self-defence under international law.

The Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations said Counsellor Muhammad Jawad Ajmal raised the concerns during an interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Ajmal said terrorism remained at the heart of Afghanistan’s challenges and expressed concern over the presence and activities of several militant organisations operating from Afghan territory.

These included the TTP, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Majeed Brigade, Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIL-K) and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), along with their affiliates.

He also highlighted what he described as links between the Afghan Taliban administration and these groups, as well as the alleged involvement of external actors supporting proxy elements targeting Pakistan and neighbouring countries.

Pakistan Raises Concerns Over Cross-Border Terrorism

Ajmal said the Afghan Taliban’s continued failure to publicly condemn these organisations had raised serious questions about their alleged complicity and support.

He highlighted the human cost of terrorism in Pakistan, stating that more than 4,700 innocent Pakistanis had lost their lives in terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory over the past three years.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban administration to prevent militant organisations, particularly the TTP, from using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

Referring to Pakistan’s actions on March 16, Ajmal said Islamabad had precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including drone and ammunition storage facilities allegedly used by the TTP to attack Pakistani civilians.

He maintained that Pakistan could not remain passive in the face of continued terrorist attacks against its people and national security.

The counsellor reaffirmed that Pakistan would exercise its right to self-defence whenever necessary and in accordance with international law to protect its citizens and national security.

He urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their international commitments and obligations, reiterating Pakistan’s desire for a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan that maintains harmonious relations with its neighbours.

Pakistan Criticises Restrictions on Afghan Women and Girls

During the dialogue, Ajmal also expressed concern over restrictions imposed by the Afghan Taliban on women and girls, particularly the denial of fundamental freedoms and basic dignity.

He called on the authorities in Kabul to end discriminatory restrictions, arguing that such practices were inconsistent with Islamic laws, traditions and the fundamental principles of the Muslim faith.

Ajmal said the restrictions reflected the Taliban administration’s continued retreat from its international commitments.

He also recalled that Pakistan hosted the ninth Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad in July, which adopted the Islamabad Declaration expressing concern over restrictions on Afghan women and girls as being contrary to Islamic values.

Pakistan Calls for International Support for Afghan Refugees

The Pakistani counsellor also highlighted the country’s longstanding humanitarian contribution, saying Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghan refugees over several decades, often without adequate international support.

He said Pakistan continued to facilitate vulnerable Afghans within its available capacity but stressed that the international community should share responsibility for addressing the refugee situation.

Pakistan reiterated its commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan while calling for collective international efforts to address security, human rights and humanitarian challenges.