Pakistan tells UN chief 25 terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan amid tensions with Kabul

Islamabad: Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday told UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that 25 terrorist organisations were operating in Afghanistan and called for international cooperation to tackle the threat, according to a government statement.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban government of allowing militants, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory.

The tensions have escalated in recent weeks, including after Pakistani airstrikes on militant targets in Afghanistan that Kabul and the UN said killed civilians, while Islamabad said the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts.


Guterres, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday, also met President Asif Ali Zardari, army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during his visit.

On Thursday, the final day of his visit, the UN chief met Naqvi in Islamabad. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry was also present.

Naqvi said 25 terrorist organisations were operating in Afghanistan and posed a threat to global peace. "The international community needs to work together to tackle this threat," he said.

The government statement did not name the 25 organisations.

Naqvi also said Pakistan would continue to play its role in UN peacekeeping missions and that Pakistani police personnel were serving in UN Police missions.

He said 181 Pakistanis had sacrificed their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping missions.

Guterres recognised Pakistan's participation in UN peacekeeping missions, saying it had always been "prominent". "Pakistan's role in world peace is commendable," he said.

The UN chief also thanked Pakistan for its contribution to UN peacekeeping, according to Pakistani officials.

Separately, Pakistan's Foreign Office said Guterres' visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the country's "longstanding partnership" with the United Nations and highlighted Pakistan's "unwavering support for multilateralism".

Guterres's first visit to Pakistan as UN secretary general was in February 2020. His second and final term as UN chief is set to end on Dec 31.