Pakistan urges global action to stop terrorists using illicit weapons

Pakistan has voiced significant concern about terrorist groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the so-called Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade acquiring and using modern and sophisticated illicit weapons.

A Pakistani ambassador has called for a concerted effort to intercept covert supplies of modern and sophisticated weapons that enable UN-sanctioned armed organizations such as the TTP, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade, which exploit safe havens in Afghanistan to launch deadly cross-border operations into Pakistan.

“Terrorist armed groups are in possession of billions of dollars in illegal arms abandoned in Afghanistan,” Syed Atif Raza, a counselor at the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, said at an Arria-Formula meeting of the UN Security Council convened by Sierra Leone.

This format of the council’s meeting is named after Diego Arriva, a former Venezuelan ambassador to the UN. It is a consultation process that allows Security Council members to hear from people in an informal setting.

During a debate on “Small Arms and Light Weapons Management in UN Sanctions Regimes,” the Pakistani representative stated that weapons of this kind are being used by TTP and BLA terrorists in their attacks on civilians and Pakistan’s armed forces.

“These terrorist groups also get support and funding from our main enemy,” Counselor Raza said, clearly referring to India.

“We urge our international partners to recover the large stockpile of abandoned weapons, prevent terrorist groups from accessing them, and take action to stop the illegal arms trade.”

He said that the misuse and illegal flow of small arms and light weapons make conflicts worse, hinder economic progress, and threaten peace and security. These weapons have become the preferred tools for both state and non-state actors.

He also pointed out that the problem is made worse by the increasing sophistication of illegal arms and the access illegal armed groups have to advanced weapons, often crossing national borders.

“We know that non-state actors often lack the ability to make advanced illegal weapons, which raises questions about the involvement of certain state actors in these illegal activities,” the Pakistani representative added.