ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) has raised serious concerns over the advanced military equipment left behind in Afghanistan following the US troop withdrawal in 2021, calling it a “profound concern” for Pakistan’s safety and security. FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated on Wednesday that these weapons, which include aircraft, vehicles, and munitions, have been used by terrorist organizations, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to carry out attacks in Pakistan.
The FO reiterated Pakistan’s repeated calls for the Afghan authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent these weapons from falling into the wrong hands. The statement highlighted that these weapons have exacerbated security challenges in the region.
The issue resurfaced after former US President Donald Trump’s public pledge to demand the return of military equipment from Afghanistan. Trump had threatened to withhold financial assistance from Afghanistan unless the US weapons were returned, specifically calling for the return of aircraft, vehicles, and other military assets. However, the Taliban reportedly refused to return the equipment and instead requested more advanced weaponry to combat ISIS.
A 2022 report by the US Department of Defense revealed that approximately $7 billion worth of military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan. Despite efforts by US forces to dismantle or destroy as much equipment as possible during their withdrawal, much of it ended up in the hands of the Taliban as they took control of the country in August 2021.
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While Trump’s administration had signed the deal for troop withdrawal, it was President Joe Biden’s administration that oversaw the chaotic pullout, resulting in the rapid collapse of the Afghanistan government and the Taliban’s return to power. The US evacuation saw tragic scenes, including a deadly suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport that claimed the lives of over a dozen American soldiers and many Afghans.
The situation has raised ongoing security concerns, particularly regarding the use of these weapons by militant groups in Pakistan and the broader region.
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