By The South Asia Times

UNITED NATIONS -  Pakistan on Monday warned the United Nations Security Council about the growing threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan while voting in favor of extending the mandate of the UN’s political mission in the country.

Speaking after the council unanimously adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for three months, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Usman Jadoon, said Islamabad supports the mission’s role in promoting peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan.

Jadoon said Afghanistan continues to face multiple challenges, including rising terrorism, human rights concerns, narcotics trafficking, and declining humanitarian assistance.

He noted that the Security Council resolution expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan that continue to pose a threat to international peace and security.

Pakistan also thanked China for its role as penholder on Afghanistan at the Security Council and welcomed the unanimous adoption of the resolution.

In his remarks, the Pakistani diplomat said the most pressing challenge facing Afghanistan remains the deteriorating security situation and the “exponential rise” of terrorist threats.

He alleged that elements within the Taliban administration are either collaborating with or allowing several militant groups to operate from Afghan territory.

Those groups include the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade faction, as well as Islamic State Khorasan Province, Al-Qaeda and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

Pakistan says these groups have been responsible for cross-border attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure inside the country.

The resolution adopted by the council calls on the Taliban authorities to take “active, immediate, demonstrable and concrete measures” to combat terrorism in all its forms and prevent the diversion of weapons and ammunition to militant groups.

Jadoon said UNAMA also has a mandate to monitor security developments, analyze the illicit economy, and support efforts to curb the illegal trade and accumulation of small arms and light weapons in Afghanistan and the wider region.

He urged the UN mission to report objectively on the situation in Afghanistan while taking into account the security concerns of neighboring countries affected by cross-border militant activity.

Pakistan also warned about the spread of disinformation by local Taliban elements that it said could hinder the work of UNAMA personnel across the country.

Jadoon expressed hope that the three-month extension of UNAMA’s mandate would allow the Security Council to review the mission’s future role and help advance long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.