ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad this week warned Afghanistan that Islamabad would take “all necessary defense measures” if Kabul failed to take action against militants that he alleged operate from Afghan soil. 

Ahmad was speaking during a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan during which he said Pakistan had lost 1,200 lives to “terrorism” this year that were planned, financed and orchestrated under the Afghan government’s watch. 

The development takes place as tensions persist between Islamabad and Kabul after deadly October clashes between the two that killed dozens of people on both sides. Pakistan routinely blames Afghanistan for not taking action against Pakistani Taliban militants allegedly present on Afghan soil. Kabul denies the allegation and says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges. 

Tensions escalated in late November after two rounds of failed talks in Doha and Istanbul between the two sides. Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out strikes on its territory. Pakistan’s military denied the claims as the Taliban vowed to retaliate. 

“The Taliban must take concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups based on their soil, failing which; Pakistan will take all necessary defensive measures for the protection of its citizens, territory and sovereignty,” Ahmad said on Wednesday.

“We also expect UNAMA [United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan] to provide an objective assessment of the security situation at the border. Incidents related to border clashes are primarily an issue of terrorism and peace and security.”

The Pakistani UN ambassador hoped the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan would promote a “conducive environment for sincere dialogue” that addresses Islamabad’s security concerns instead of working at cross purposes. 

He said elements within the Afghan Taliban rank and file are supporting “terrorist groups” in Afghanistan such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Al-Qaeda, Daesh and other outfits. He alleged that the Taliban were allowing these militants “safe passage” to operate with impunity. 

“There is also credible evidence of collaboration among these terrorist groups through joint training, illicit weapons trade, refuge to terrorists, and coordinated attacks against Pakistan using the Afghan soil,” he said. 

Heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan saw cross-border clashes between the two sides last week, which according to Afghan officials, claimed five lives. Both accused each other of violating the ceasefire via unprovoked firing.