Pakistan welcomes UNSC's move to extend UN Afghan mission's mandate for three months

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2026) With Pakistan supporting, the UN Security Council voted on Monday adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for three months, reflecting divisions among major powers over engagement with Kabul.

All 15 Council members voted in favour of the resolution, under whose terms UNAMA’s mandate will run from March 16 to June 17.

UNAMA is tasked with supporting political engagement, coordinating humanitarian assistance and promoting stability and international cooperation related to Afghanistan.

Explaining his vote, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the Pakistani deputy permanent representative, said Pakistan supports UNAMA in promoting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan which confronts multiple challenges, particularly the increasing threat of terrorism, human rights, narcotics and diminishing humanitarian aid.

The short-term extension follows negotiations over the length of the mandate. China initially proposed the standard one-year extension, but the United States pushed for a three-month rollover.

Diplomats said the disagreement comes amid broader tensions over how the international community should deal with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities.

Washington has been seeking the release of US citizens detained in the country and recently designated the Taliban as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.”

In his comments, Ambassador Jadoon, the Pakistani envoy, commended China's role as penholder and for its sincere efforts to forge consensus by taking on board the concerns of all Council members. "We also welcome the unanimous adoption of this resolution."

Pakistan, he said, has consistently asserted that the foremost among the challenges faced in Afghanistan is the deteriorating security situation and exponential rise in the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

"Elements within the Taliban regime are actively collaborating, let alone providing a permissive environment to several terrorist groups such as the TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) , BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) and its Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K or Da'esh and Al Qaeda, operating with impunity inside Afghanistan and responsible for cross-border attacks against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement personnel, targeting critical infrastructure and public places," Ambassador Jadoon said.

Through this resolution, he pointed out, the Council has expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan which “continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security” and called on the Taliban “to take active, immediate, demonstrable and concrete measures” to combat terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed”.

The Council also outlines its expectation to strengthen “the safe and secure management of weapons and ammunition to prevent their diversion to terrorist groups.”

As mandated, he said, UNAMA has a responsibility to effectively “monitor and analyze the security dynamics across the country” that include a “better understanding of the illicit economy”, supporting efforts to “prevent and address the illicit trade and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons and their diversion in Afghanistan and the region” and supporting “efforts to create conditions conducive” to the reintegration of refugee populations in Afghanistan.

'We must also remain cautious of disinformation advanced by local Taliban elements who continue to create obstacles for access to UNAMA personnel across the country."

At the same time, the Pakistani envoy hoped UNAMA will report objectively about the security developments on ground, by taking into account the legitimate security concerns and expectations of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours, who are faced with serious threats from Afghan soil.

Finally, we hope the next three months will allow us to review UNAMA’s role in Afghanistan in a manner that will help us achieve the long term goals of peace and stability in Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours."