Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. photo: file
Pakistan has raised the alarm at the United Nations over small arms and light weapons abandoned and illicitly transferred 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 uncontrolled arms buildup fuels conflicts.
“Small weapons 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 about stocks of sophisticated weapons and ammunition remaining in Afghanistan, abandoned by foreign forces or sold illegally on black markets. “Reports indicate that 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), called “Fitna al-Khawarij” by the ISPR, and the Majeed Brigade, have acquired and used these modern weapons against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement officials, causing thousands of deaths.
“The movement of unidentified or unregistered weapons across borders supports non-state armed groups, terrorist networks and criminal gangs, which undermines regional security,” he added. Pakistan urged intensified international efforts to prevent the illicit flow of arms and called on Afghan authorities to fulfill 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 arms trading, which complicate efforts to control illicit weapons.
He emphasized the United Nations Program of Action on Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons as a framework for global cooperation and called for its full implementation at the national and international levels to safeguard peace and security.
Evolving threats and need for global cooperation
Apart from small arms, Pakistan underlined 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 oldest troop contributors globally.
“Over seven decades, more than 237,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in 48 missions across four continents, of whom 182 have made 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-effective, with an annual budget of around $5.5 billion (less than 0.3% of global military spending), saving lives, monitoring ceasefires, protecting civilians and stabilizing fragile regions.
Ambassador Iftikhar outlined several measures to strengthen UN peacekeeping operations. He said mandates must be realistic, achievable and guided by political objectives, while troop- and police-contributing countries must participate fully in the formulation, review and transitions of mandates, which must be based on conditions and not fixed timetables.
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The safety of peacekeepers must remain a top priority, with stronger accountability and deterrence measures. He called for the strengthening of regional partnerships under Chapter VIII, as promoted by Security Council Resolution 2719, and stressed that technology and innovation must complement, not replace, the 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 involved to ensure legitimacy and ownership of decisions by Member States.
“Pakistan views peacekeeping not as a panacea, but also not 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.
