Envoy tells UN abandoned stockpiles arming terrorists, urges global action
\n new york
\nPakistan has raised alarm at the United Nations over abandoned and illicitly transferred small arms and light weapons in Afghanistan, warning that they threaten regional peace and security.
\nAmbassador Asim Iftikhar, Pakistan\u2019s permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council during an open debate on small arms that unchecked accumulation of weapons fuels conflicts.
\n\u201cSmall arms are neither small nor light in their impact. They are the second most used weapons in global terrorist attacks after explosives,\u201d he said.
\nThe envoy expressed deep concern over stockpiles of sophisticated arms and ammunition left in Afghanistan, either abandoned by foreign forces or sold illegally in black markets. \u201cReports indicate these weapons pose a direct threat to neighboring countries,\u201d he said.
\nHe warned that terrorist groups\u2014including ISIL-K, TTP, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), referred to as \u201cFitna al-Khawarij\u201d by the ISPR, and the Majeed Brigade\u2014have acquired and used these modern weapons against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement, causing thousands of deaths.
\n\u201cThe movement of unmarked or unregistered weapons across borders sustains non-state armed groups, terrorist networks, and criminal gangs, undermining regional security,\u201d he added. Pakistan urged stronger international efforts to prevent illicit arms flow and called on Afghan authorities to adhere to their obligations.
\nAmbassador Iftikhar also highlighted the challenges posed by emerging technologies, including AI-based weapons, drones, 3D-printed firearms, night vision equipment, and cryptocurrency-enabled arms trades, which complicate efforts to control illicit arms.
\nHe emphasized the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons as a framework for global cooperation and called for its full implementation domestically and internationally to safeguard peace and security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Envoy tells UN abandoned stockpiles arming terrorists, urges global action new york Pakistan has raised alarm at the United Nations over abandoned and illicitly transferred small arms and light weapons in Afghanistan, warning that they threaten regional peace and security. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, Pakistan\u2019s permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council during an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-513981","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n