Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. photo: file
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’s permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council during an open debate on small arms that unchecked accumulation of weapons fuels conflicts.
“Small arms are neither small nor light in their impact. They are the second most used weapons in global terrorist attacks after explosives,” he said.
The 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. “Reports indicate these weapons pose a direct threat to neighboring countries,” he said.
He warned that terrorist groups—including ISIL-K, TTP, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), referred to as “Fitna al-Khawarij” by the ISPR, and the Majeed Brigade—have acquired and used these modern weapons against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement, causing thousands of deaths.
“The movement of unmarked or unregistered weapons across borders sustains non-state armed groups, terrorist networks, and criminal gangs, undermining regional security,” he added. Pakistan urged stronger international efforts to prevent illicit arms flow and called on Afghan authorities to adhere to their obligations.
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Ambassador 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.
He 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.
Evolving threats and the need for global cooperation
Alongside small arms, Pakistan underscored its long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping. The envoy noted that Pakistan hosts one of the first UN missions, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), and is among the largest and longest-serving troop contributors globally.
“Over seven decades, more than 237,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in 48 missions across four continents, with 182 making the ultimate sacrifice for international peace and security,” he said.
He warned that UN peacekeeping is at a “critical crossroads,” facing political, financial, and operational pressures, including an ongoing liquidity crisis caused by declining commitment from some member states.
Despite these challenges, he said, peacekeeping remains highly effective and cost-efficient, with an annual budget of about US$5.5 billion—less than 0.3% of global military expenditure—saving lives, monitoring ceasefires, protecting civilians, and stabilizing fragile regions.
Ambassador Iftikhar outlined several measures to strengthen UN peacekeeping operations. He said mandates should be realistic, achievable, and guided by political objectives, while troop- and police-contributing countries must be fully involved in mandate formulation, review, and transitions, which should be based on conditions rather than fixed calendars.
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The safety and security of peacekeepers must remain a top priority, with stronger accountability and deterrence measures. He called for the reinforcement of regional partnerships under Chapter VIII, as promoted by Security Council Resolution 2719, and stressed that technology and innovation should complement, not replace, human presence. New mission arrangements must preserve the neutrality, legitimacy, and accountability of UN peacekeeping, and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) must remain actively engaged to ensure legitimacy and member-state ownership of decisions.
“Pakistan views peacekeeping not as a panacea, but neither as expendable,” he added, reaffirming the country’s commitment to ensuring that UN operations remain credible, adequately resourced, and firmly anchored in the principles of the UN Charter.
