Afghanistan lambasts Pak over long history of providing 'safe havens' to global terrorists

New York: Exercising its right-of-reply at the United Nations, Afghanistan made a scathing attack on Pakistan by listing a record number of instances of the terrorists being sheltered by Pakistan.

Kabul also accused Islamabad of providing safe-havens to 20 internationally-recognised terrorist groups and said that "Pakistan remains the main source of insecurity in the region".

Afghanistan's First Secretary to the U.N., during the general debate of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, said "An erroneous claim by one-member-state regarding the presence of safe-havens and sanctuaries in Afghanistan - such reference is a deliberate attempt by the government of Pakistan to divert international attention over its longstanding failure to take effective action against various terrorist groups and sanctuaries on its territory. It remains evidently clear to the global community that the propagation of terrorist activities by state and non-state actors in the neighbouring Pakistan constitutes the main source of insecurity in Afghanistan and the wider region."

"Afghanistan has persistently and consistently sought to address this outstanding issue through various channels, including bilateral and other mechanisms. Nevertheless, efforts to this end have yielded no results, whatsoever. At this juncture, Pakistan has another opportunity to engage in a comprehensive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues that have prevented it from adopting a clear and decisive stance in combating terrorism and a constructive approach for peace and security in Afghanistan," he added.

Afghanistan also listed out examples to give a clear picture of the current situation -"let us ask the following questions:"

1) Where was the mastermind of international terrorism, leader of AL Qaeda Osama bin laden killed? Answer: In the capital of Pakistan - Islamabad

2) Where did the notorious leader of the Taliban, Mullah Mohammad Omar, die? Answer, in a hospital in Karachi

3) Where was Mullah Akhtar Mansour , the successor of Mullah Omar, found and killed by international forces? Answer: Balochistan of Pakistan and guess which country's passport he was using for travel to different locations? Pakistan's

4) Where is the leadership of the Quetta and Peshawar Shuras located at this very moment? Answer : The name of locations just mentioned speaks for themselves.

From what country has almost every single terrorist elements and some 20 internationally-recognised terrorist groups enter into Afghanistan and continue to do so? Answer - Pakistan

"What was just mentioned are few examples of the incessant support enjoyed by extremists groups from Pakistan? Moreover, these are not just the words of Afghanistan. These have been claimed and verified by various credible international sources," he stated.

"Long before any foreign intervention and the so-called 'Civil War' in Afghanistan, Pakistan had adopted a policy of use of violent proxies in pursuit of political objectives. Lastly, wasn't it PM Abbasi of Pakistan himself, who in an interview a few days ago, admitted that the culprits of the massive terrorist truck bomb on 31st May in Kabul may have entered from Pakistan to Afghanistan," he further said.

"We wish to categorically reject any claim of any support provided to the terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The facts speak for themselves. Now is the time for Pakistan to opt for a constructive approach in combating terrorism and promoting peace in our region."

"Moving forward we will use every means possible including negotiations and dialogue to ensure security and stability for our people. In this context, our resolve and commitment to defeat terrorism is unwavering and this is shown in action by the sacrifice of our brave Afghan national defence and security forces everyday," he concluded.