Afghanistan disputes Pakistan's claim on terrorism at UNGA, calls its neighbour hub of terror activities

United Nations: Afghanistan on Friday accused Pakistan that it was diverting the attention of the international community from its “longstanding failure” to take effective action against various terrorist groups and sanctuaries on its territory. Pakistan’s prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said in his address at the UN General Assembly that safe havens of the Taliban does not exist in Pakistan, but in Afghanistan. [caption id=“attachment_4070835” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, left, is greeted by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before a meeting Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, at U.N. headquarters. AP[/caption] Exercising its right to reply Afghanistan said, it is evident that the propagation of terror activities in neighbouring Pakistan constitutes the main source of insecurity in the country and the region. Afghanistan’s representative on the floor of the General Assembly said that one member state’s claims regarding the presence of safe havens and sanctuaries in Afghanistan was erroneous. “Such a difference is a deliberate attempt by the government of Pakistan to divert international attention over Pakistan’s longstanding failure to take effective action against various terrorist groups and sanctuaries on its territory,” an Afghan diplomat representing the country said. “It remains evidently clear to the global community that the propagation of terrorist activities by state and non-state actors in neighbouring Pakistan constitutes the main source of insecurity in Afghanistan and the region,” he said. Afghanistan has persistently and consistently sought to address this outstanding issue through various channels including bilateral and other mechanisms, he said. Nevertheless, efforts to this end have yielded no results whatsoever, he said. “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 constructive approach for peace and security in Afghanistan and the wider region,” he said. Long before any international intervention of the so-called civil war in Afghanistan, it was the adoption of a policy of use of  violent proxies in the pursuit of political objectives by Pakistan, he said. “Even though not necessary we wish to categorically reject any claim of any support provided to terrorist groups in Afghanistan, the facts speak for themselves,” the Afghan diplomat asserted and said that now it’s time for Pakistan to opt for a constructive approach in combating terrorism and promoting peace in the region. Moving forward, Afghanistan will use any means possible including negotiation and dialogue to ensure security and stability for its people, he said. “In this context our resolve and commitment to defeat terrorism is unwavering. And this is shown in action by the sacrifice of our brave our national defense and security forces every day,” the Afghan diplomat said. Responding to Afghanistan’s statement, Pakistan said that Afghanistan instead of blaming others for its problems and failures “should focus” on eradicating safe havens for terrorists in its ungoverned spaces deal with its war economy and narcostate. “That is a major threat to regional peace and stability,” the Pakistan’s representative said.