Latest news with #AsimIftikharAhmad
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan backs diplomacy on Iran
Pakistan reaffirmed its support for resolving Iran nuclear issue through peaceful means when the UN Security Council on Tuesday discussed the latest developments related to the implementation of its 2015 resolution endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limits the Iranian atomic programme. "Diplomatic engagement and the resumption of dialogue are the best means to resolve all outstanding issues," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council on Tuesday. "Diplomacy has delivered previously and with the necessary political will, it can certainly deliver again," he said, referring to JCPOA, which was signed in 2015 after extensive negotiations between Iran and several world powers, including the United States. The US, however, withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under the Trump administration, and the deal is now considered "essentially defunct". Tuesday's Security Council session followed a brokered ceasefire that brought a pause to recent hostilities — air strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian nuclear sites, and Tehran's subsequent missile attacks on a United States base in Qatar. In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said the IAEA, the UN agency responsible for verifying compliance with respective nuclear safeguards obligations of member states, must be enabled to fulfil this statutory function. "We believe that verification activities by the IAEA should continue unimpeded," he added. The Security Council, the Pakistani envoy said, should allow sufficient time to continuing efforts between the IAEA and Iran as well as other parties to resolve outstanding issues. Recent developments, he said, have yet again manifested the grave dangers that present themselves when there are violations of the UN Charter and international law. "The cost of seeking to resolve issues through military means is more than evident," he said, adding, "The region, and indeed the whole world, cannot be hostage to such adventures, dangerous precedents and spiraling escalations." With regards to recent developments, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar emphasized: Condemnation of violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and, of the threat or use of force to settle disputes; Rejection of attacks on IAEA-safeguarded nuclear facilities; Sustained cessation of hostilities and a permanent ceasefire to allow resumption of dialogue and verification activities by the IAEA, and, Renew diplomatic engagement to seriously and faithfully address the outstanding issues in a cooperative manner. In conclusion, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar informed the Council that together with Russia and China, Pakistan has proposed a draft Council resolution in search of a peaceful solution to the concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear programme.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan warns UNSC of dire TTP threat
Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Israel-Iran conflict on June 13, 2025. Courtesy: X@PakistanUN_NY Pakistan informed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the largest UN-designated terrorist group operating from Afghan soil with an estimated strength of around 6,000 fighters, poses a direct threat to Pakistan's national security. Participating in a debate on the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan's permanent representative to UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that terrorist entities, including Al-Qaeda, the TTP, and the Baloch militant groups, continued to operate from ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan. The Pakistani envoy also voiced concern over the potential destabilising impact of the situation in Iran following unprovoked Israeli attacks and warned that a refugee influx from Iran could pose significant challenges for the neighbouring countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Terrorism emanating from Afghanistan remains a serious threat to its neighbours, particularly Pakistan," Ambassador Ahmad told the 15-member UNSC. He pointed out that the TTP had safe havens close to the Pakistani border. As part of defensive measures, the envoy said, Pakistan has confiscated a significant cache of modern weapons originally left behind by international forces in Afghanistan when they departed after the Taliban captured Kabul four years ago. In April, the Pakistani envoy continued, 54 TTP terrorists, attempting to infiltrate Pakistan were neutralised by the Pakistani security forces, an incident underscoring the scale and seriousness of the threat. "We also have credible evidence of collaboration between the TTP and other groups, such as the BLA [Baloch liberation Army] and its Majeed Brigade, aimed at disrupting strategic infrastructure and economic development projects in Pakistan," Ambassador Ahmad said.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Islamabad says Iran-Israel conflict may trigger 'refugee exodus' into Pakistan, Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's United Nations ambassador on Tuesday raised concerns about the possibility of a 'refugee exodus' from Iran into neighboring Pakistan and Afghanistan, as tensions in the Middle East remain high despite the US announcing a ceasefire between Tehran and Israel. Pakistan shares a porous 900-kilometer-long border with Iran in its southwestern region, which is prone to militant violence and illicit activities such as smuggling. Analysts have warned that a long-term war between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13 after Tel Aviv attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, can lead to a large number of refugees heading toward Pakistan and other neighboring countries. However, hopes of calm returning to the region were spurred on after US President Donald Trump announced early Tuesday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. 'We are also concerned about the potential destabilizing impact of the situation in Iran following unprovoked Israeli attacks,' Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, said during a Security Council session. 'A refugee exodus into neighboring countries— including Afghanistan and Pakistan— could pose significant new challenges,' he said. 'This might imperil the already fragile condition in Afghanistan.' #PakistanInUNSC We are also concerned about the potential destabilizing impact of the situation in Iran following unprovoked Israeli attacks. A refugee exodus into neighboring countries—including Afghanistan and Pakistan—could pose significant new challenges. This might imperil… — Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) June 24, 2025 The Pakistani envoy was speaking on the prevalent situation in Afghanistan, including the lack of opportunities for women and the surge in militant attacks in the country. Ahmad said Islamabad wished to see a prosperous Afghanistan but warned that Pakistani Taliban fighters were operating from the country. He said that Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with around 6,000 fighters has safe havens close to the border with Pakistan, posing direct threat to Islamabad's national security. 'As part of our defensive measures, Pakistan has confiscated a significant cache of modern weapons originally left behind by international forces in Afghanistan,' Ahmad said. Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected Pakistan's allegations that TTP fighters use its soil to launch attacks against Islamabad. Kabul has urged Pakistan to resolve its security challenges internally, without blaming Afghanistan. IRAN-ISRAEL CEASEFIRE Trump announced the 'complete and total' ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv through a social media post on Tuesday, with the development taking place after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar. Iran said it was retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites, adding that as long as Israel stopped its attacks early Tuesday morning, it would halt theirs. Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 am local time. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time. The US strikes against Iran over the weekend prompted fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran had said the US had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. Pakistan has consistently denounced Israel's military action against Iran and in Gaza, calling on the international community to intervene and impose an immediate end to the conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Islamabad says Iran-Israel conflict may trigger ‘refugee exodus' into Pakistan, Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's United Nations ambassador on Tuesday raised concerns about the possibility of a 'refugee exodus' from Iran into neighboring Pakistan and Afghanistan, as tensions in the Middle East remain high despite the US announcing a ceasefire between Tehran and Israel. Pakistan shares a porous 900-kilometer-long border with Iran in its southwestern region, which is prone to militant violence and illicit activities such as smuggling. Analysts have warned that a long-term war between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13 after Tel Aviv attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, can lead to a large number of refugees heading toward Pakistan and other neighboring countries. However, hopes of calm returning to the region were spurred on after US President Donald Trump announced early Tuesday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. 'We are also concerned about the potential destabilizing impact of the situation in Iran following unprovoked Israeli attacks,' Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, said during a Security Council session. 'A refugee exodus into neighboring countries— including Afghanistan and Pakistan— could pose significant new challenges,' he said. 'This might imperil the already fragile condition in Afghanistan.' #PakistanInUNSC We are also concerned about the potential destabilizing impact of the situation in Iran following unprovoked Israeli attacks. A refugee exodus into neighboring countries—including Afghanistan and Pakistan—could pose significant new challenges. This might imperil… — Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) June 24, 2025 The Pakistani envoy was speaking on the prevalent situation in Afghanistan, including the lack of opportunities for women and the surge in militant attacks in the country. Ahmad said Islamabad wished to see a prosperous Afghanistan but warned that Pakistani Taliban fighters were operating from the country. He said that Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with around 6,000 fighters has safe havens close to the border with Pakistan, posing direct threat to Islamabad's national security. 'As part of our defensive measures, Pakistan has confiscated a significant cache of modern weapons originally left behind by international forces in Afghanistan,' Ahmad said. Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected Pakistan's allegations that TTP fighters use its soil to launch attacks against Islamabad. Kabul has urged Pakistan to resolve its security challenges internally, without blaming Afghanistan. IRAN-ISRAEL CEASEFIRE Trump announced the 'complete and total' ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv through a social media post on Tuesday, with the development taking place after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar. Iran said it was retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites, adding that as long as Israel stopped its attacks early Tuesday morning, it would halt theirs. Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 am local time. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time. The US strikes against Iran over the weekend prompted fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran had said the US had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. Pakistan has consistently denounced Israel's military action against Iran and in Gaza, calling on the international community to intervene and impose an immediate end to the conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan urges UN Security Council to act ‘decisively' as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations has urged the Security Council to act 'urgently and decisively' to ensure cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, as tensions surge following Washington's move to join the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The international community has intensified its calls for peace in the Middle East after US carried out attacks against Iran's key nuclear facilities on Sunday, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution. Pakistan's UN mission announced on Sunday that Islamabad, Beijing and Moscow will present a joint resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. The announcement was made as the Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Pakistan has strongly condemned the American strikes, reiterating that Tehran reserves the right to respond under the UN Charter. 'As the body entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council must act urgently and decisively,' Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said during the Security Council emergency meeting. He said it was the Security Council's collective responsibility to reject and condemn attacks against Iran launched since June 13, stating that they were in 'clear contravention' of international law and the UN Charter. The Pakistani envoy reaffirmed that it was the Security Council's obligation to protect civilian lives and properties on both sides. Ahmad called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a 'complete ceasefire' in the Middle East. 'Promote urgent recourse to dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to find a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue,' the Pakistani ambassador said. Iran on Sunday requested for the UN Security Council meeting, calling on the 15-member body 'to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms' following America's strikes. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel 'do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.' UN Secretary-General Guterres branded the US strikes on Iran as a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.' Iran's UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini said Washington had decided to 'destroy diplomacy' with its attacks, making it clear that the Iranian military will decide on the 'timing, nature and scale' of its response.
