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WASHINGTON: Pakistan told the UN Security Council on Monday that Islamabad’s demand from the Afghan Taliban was simple and clear: “verifiable and non-reversible action“ against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. Addressing a UNSC meeting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, further stated: “Regrettably, this demand remains unmet.” And while the window for course correction was narrowing, it remained open, he added. “We hope the Taliban realise this in earnest and cooperate with the international community for the long-term peace and development of Afghanistan and, above all, in the best interest of all Afghans,” he said. There has been a resurgence in terrorism in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. For its part, Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). But, officials say those appeals have gone unheedeed, while the Afghan Taliban reject these allegations. During the UNSC meeting, Ambassador Asim noted that it had been nearly half a decade since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. “It was hoped that this would end the bloodshed and Afghanistan would be at peace with itself and its neighbours,” he said. The envoy added that Pakistan took numerous steps to support Afghanistan, including humanitarian relief efforts, political engagement, providing incentives to boost bilateral trade, offering transit concessions, issuing student and medical visas, conducting high-level visits to Kabul and participating in various regional cooperation initiatives to help Afghanistan succeed in its quest to find its rightful place in the international community. He further said that with the end of the civil war, it was “anticipated that the Taliban would take positive steps to transform into a responsible governing authority by adhering to their international obligations and commitments, and that they would lead Afghanistan into an era of stability and progress, provide the long-awaited relief to all Afghans and live in harmony with immediate neighbours”. More to follow
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