At an Arria-formula meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan called for urgent international action against the proliferation of illicit weapons in the possession of terrorist groups.
Representing Pakistan, Counsellor Syed Atif Raza expressed deep concern over the acquisition and use of sophisticated and lethal illegal arms by proscribed terrorist organizations, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the so-called Baloch Liberation Army, and the Majid Brigade.
He highlighted that terrorist outfits are in possession of billions of dollars’ worth of illegal weapons abandoned in Afghanistan, which are being used to target Pakistani civilians and security forces.
In his statement, Counsellor Raza further warned that these terrorist groups are receiving external support and financial assistance from hostile states. He urged the international community to recover and secure weapons left behind in Afghanistan and to ensure that terrorist groups are denied access to such arms.
He called for effective global measures to dismantle black markets for illicit weapons and to cut off terrorist groups from access to these dangerous stockpiles.
