The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised concerns over militant groups in Afghanistan during talks Wednesday with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling for “concrete and verifiable actions” against groups Islamabad says are using Afghan territory to carry out attacks in Pakistan, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Sharif told Guterres that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan
remains in Pakistan’s interest while expressing “serious concern” over what the
statement described as terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and the presence of
militant groups on Afghan soil.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan, or TTP, of using bases in Afghanistan to launch attacks inside
Pakistan. Islamabad has pressed Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to take
action against the group. The Taliban government has denied allowing Afghan
territory to be used against other countries.
The issue has been a major source of tension between
Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Pakistan
has blamed the TTP for a series of attacks inside the country, while the
Taliban authorities have rejected allegations that they provide sanctuary to
the group.
Sharif welcomed Guterres, who is on an official visit to
Pakistan, and praised the U.N. chief’s commitment to the U.N. Charter,
multilateralism, international law, dialogue and the peaceful settlement of
disputes, according to the Prime Minister’s Office statement.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an
effective, inclusive and representative United Nations and welcomed Guterres’
UN80 Initiative, which seeks to strengthen and reform the world body.
Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote
dialogue and de-escalation, including its mediation role between the United
States and Iran. He said dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path
to resolving disputes and preventing escalation.
The prime minister also raised the longstanding dispute over
Jammu and Kashmir, calling for its resolution in accordance with relevant U.N.
Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He said the Indus Waters Treaty was a binding international
agreement and that India’s decision to place it in abeyance had no legal basis.
On the Middle East, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for
the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood and backed
implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and U.N. Security Council Resolution
2803.
He also called for greater access to affordable and
concessional financing for developing countries to advance development and
strengthen climate resilience.
Guterres, according to the Prime Minister’s Office,
appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the United Nations and
international peace and security, including its role in U.N. peacekeeping. He
also praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and
de-escalation.
Sharif later hosted a dinner in honor of Guterres and his
delegation.
