ISLAMABAD / PAKISTAN: Pakistan has issued a sharp warning at the United Nations Security Council, cautioning that Afghan-based terrorist groups gaining steady access to illicit small arms and light weapons now pose one of the most dangerous threats to regional peace. The warning, delivered during an open debate on arms control, underscored how these weapons have become the lifeblood of militant networks operating across borders.
Pakistan’s representative stressed that the unchecked flow of smuggled weaponry is no longer just a frontier challenge but a destabilising force undermining human security, development and counterterrorism efforts across South Asia. He noted that such weapons allow militant outfits to strike swiftly, expand networks and evade state authority, creating a chain reaction of violence that touches every neighbouring state.
The ambassador urged the international community to break this cycle by enforcing the UN’s Programme of Action on the illicit trade of small arms, tightening global border monitoring and disrupting supply routes. He emphasised that the Afghan interim authorities must uphold their international commitments, arguing that the region cannot secure peace if these networks continue to operate with impunity.
Security analysts say the warning reflects Pakistan’s growing concern over advanced weaponry resurfacing in the hands of non-state actors following the turmoil in Afghanistan. With cross-border infiltration risks rising, Islamabad has pushed for coordinated action, intelligence sharing and a renewed international focus on illicit arms pipelines.
As regional tensions simmer, Pakistan’s message at the UNSC was clear: stability is impossible while terrorist groups continue to access the weapons that fuel conflict.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.