NEW YORK, Feb 13 (APP): Pakistan\u2019s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has reiterated the country\u2019s serious concerns over the continued presence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Majeed Brigade, Daesh-K and Al-Qaeda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering an Explanation of Vote (EOV) after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the Monitoring Team overseeing the 1988 Taliban sanctions regime for another 12 months, the ambassador said Pakistan voted in favour of the resolution, terming it \u201ctimely and necessary\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He appreciated the United States for its constructive role in building consensus among council members on the resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Iftikhar emphasised that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against neighbouring countries and underscored the need to prevent external spoilers from exploiting the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the adoption of the resolution conveyed a clear message to the Taliban authorities that Afghanistan\u2019s territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The envoy further noted that the Security Council had outlined expectations for all member states to ensure that kidnappers, hostage-takers and terrorist groups do not benefit, directly or indirectly, from ransom payments or political concessions, while facilitating the safe release of hostages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calling on the Taliban to take decisive action, Pakistan urged the Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist groups from operating with impunity and to adopt effective counter-terrorism measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Iftikhar said the UNSC had spoken with a unanimous voice by highlighting these concerns and reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing sanctions when appropriate, taking into account the ground realities in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He remarked that it was for the Taliban to decide whether Afghanistan would choose a path of isolation or move towards peace and prosperity as a responsible member of the international community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expressing hope that the Monitoring Team would continue to report actively in accordance with its mandate, he said the team\u2019s work would support the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in ensuring compliance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW YORK, Feb 13 (APP): Pakistan\u2019s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has reiterated the country\u2019s serious concerns over the continued presence of terrorist groups operating… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1214,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[1100,35,1112,982,1111],"class_list":["post-1213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pakistan","tag-afghanistan","tag-pakistan","tag-taliban-sanctions","tag-terrorism","tag-unsc"],"yoast_head":"\n