Islamabad: Pakistan has expressed deep concern at the acquisition and use of modern and sophisticated illicit arms by terrorist groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the so-called Balochistan Liberation Army, and the Majeed Brigade. The concern was articulated by Syed Atif Raza, a Counsellor at the Pakistan Mission, during a national statement delivered at a UN Security Council meeting held in New York.
According to Radio Pakistan, Syed Atif Raza highlighted that terrorist armed groups are in possession of illicit arms abandoned in Afghanistan. These arms are reportedly being used against civilians and the armed forces of Pakistan. His statement underscores the significant threat posed by these groups, who have access to advanced weaponry that could exacerbate regional instability and violence.
Syed Atif Raza urged international partners to take immediate action to address this issue. He called for the recovery of the vast stockpile of abandoned weapons and stressed the importance of preventing their access to armed terrorist groups. Additionally, he emphasized the need for measures to shut down the thriving black market of illicit arms, which facilitates the ongoing access to these dangerous weapons by terrorist entities.