Pakistan has called on the Afghan Taliban to end restrictions on women and girls and take action against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, urging the authorities in Kabul to meet their international obligations.
The appeal was made by Counsellor Muhammad Jawad Ajmal during an interactive dialogue with the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)’s Third Committee.
He raised concerns over the activities of terrorist groups on Afghan soil and their links with attacks in neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.
Ajmal said terrorism remained a major challenge for Afghanistan and expressed concern over the presence of terrorist organisations operating from its territory.
He also referred to links between the Afghan Taliban and terrorist groups, as well as support from external actors for proxy elements targeting Pakistan and other neighbouring states.
“The Taliban’s continued failure to publicly denounce these groups raised serious questions about their complicity and support,” he said.
He also pointed to the rise in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan’s provinces bordering Afghanistan, since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Islamabad has repeatedly asked Kabul to stop armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Turning to the human rights situation, Ajmal said that restrictions on women’s and girls’ freedoms denied them basic rights and dignity and reflected the Taliban’s failure to honour its international commitments.
He added that such treatment was also inconsistent with Islamic laws, traditions and the fundamental principles of the Muslim faith.
The counsellor also called on the international community to increase its support for Afghan refugees and contribute to efforts aimed at securing a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.
Recalling Pakistan’s role in hosting Afghan refugees over several decades, he added that the country had accommodated millions of Afghans despite limited international assistance.
He urged other countries to share responsibility for supporting vulnerable refugees, adding that Pakistan would continue providing assistance within its available resources.
