Arms flow to terrorists in Afghanistan threatens region, Pakistan tells UN – The News International

Report on Illicit Arms Proliferation and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report details concerns raised by Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council regarding the proliferation of small arms and light weapons from Afghanistan. The unchecked flow of these weapons poses a significant threat to regional stability and directly undermines the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The report outlines the nature of the threat, its impact on human and economic development, and calls for enhanced international cooperation in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

I. Threat to Regional Peace and Security: A Challenge to SDG 16

A. Proliferation of Advanced Weaponry

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, expressed grave concern over stockpiles of sophisticated arms in Afghanistan. This situation directly contravenes the objectives of SDG 16, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

• Weapons left behind by foreign forces are being acquired by terrorist organizations.
• Smuggling networks and black markets facilitate the cross-border movement of these arms.
• The availability of modern and potent weapons empowers non-state actors, escalating conflict and undermining the rule of law, a key target of SDG 16.4 (reduce illicit financial and arms flows).

B. Escalation of Terrorist Activities

The acquisition of these weapons by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan presents a direct challenge to peace and security in Pakistan and the wider region. This violence is a primary obstacle to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies as envisioned in SDG 16.

1. Groups such as Daesh-K, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and others have utilized these arms in attacks against civilians and law enforcement.
2. A suicide blast in Islamabad, which resulted in numerous casualties, underscores the immediate human cost of this threat.
3. Such attacks disrupt public access to justice and threaten fundamental freedoms, working against the core principles of SDG 16.

II. Socio-Economic and Human Consequences: Impeding Sustainable Development

A. Undermining Economic Progress and Human Well-being

The proliferation of illicit arms has a devastating impact on development, directly impeding progress on multiple SDGs.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Persistent conflict and instability endanger socio-economic progress and deter investment, hindering sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Terrorist attacks cause loss of life and injury, placing a severe strain on public health systems and national well-being.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Violence and insecurity make cities and human settlements unsafe, directly opposing the goal of creating safe and resilient communities.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Conflict fueled by illicit arms is a major driver of instability, which in turn exacerbates poverty and prevents sustainable development.

B. Global Impact, with a Focus on Africa

The report highlighted that the issue is not confined to one region. Africa is severely affected by the illicit trade and misuse of small arms, which serves as a primary driver of instability on the continent. This widespread impact demonstrates how the failure to control arms proliferation globally obstructs the achievement of the SDGs on a continental scale.

III. Evolving Challenges and the Need for a Modern Response

A. Technological Advancement in Arms Proliferation

The nature of the threat is evolving, with new technologies presenting serious challenges to traditional arms control measures. This requires an adaptive approach to maintain peace and security (SDG 16).

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and AI-based weapons are becoming more accessible.
• 3D-printed small arms present new manufacturing challenges.
• The use of cryptocurrency and the dark web for anonymous transactions complicates efforts to track and intercept illicit arms flows.

B. Call for International Action and Partnership (SDG 17)

In response to these multifaceted threats, a comprehensive and balanced global effort is required. This aligns with SDG 17, which emphasizes the need for global partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

1. There is an urgent need for stronger international efforts to prevent illicit arms from reaching terrorist groups.
2. The Afghan interim authorities must adhere to their international obligations to control arms within their borders.
3. Full implementation of the United Nations ‘Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons’ is critical to safeguarding international peace and security.
4. Utilizing new technologies for effective control and international cooperation can help address the challenges posed by modern warfare and arms proliferation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most central SDG addressed in the article. The entire text revolves around threats to peace and security caused by illicit arms trafficking and terrorism. The suicide blast in Islamabad, the clashes between Pakistani and Afghan militaries, the presence of terrorist groups (TTP, Daesh-K, BLA), and the call for stronger international efforts to combat these threats all fall directly under the purview of SDG 16. The article explicitly states that illicit arms “undermining the prospects of peace and security” and lead to the “erosion of the rule of law.”

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects to SDG 3 through the direct human cost of violence. The opening paragraph mentions a suicide blast that resulted in “12 citizens been taken out and nearly 30 injured.” Furthermore, it refers to terrorist attacks that have led to the “loss of thousands of innocent lives.” These casualties represent a direct failure to ensure healthy lives and well-being, which is a core objective of SDG 3.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article implies a connection to SDG 8 by highlighting how instability affects development. Ambassador Ahmad is quoted saying that the unchecked use of small arms has a direct impact on “endangering socio-economic progress” and that “illicit weapons impede development prospects.” A secure and stable environment is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth and the creation of decent work, both of which are threatened by the conflict and terrorism described.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article highlights threats to urban safety, a key component of SDG 11. The suicide blast occurred “outside Judicial Complex in Islamabad,” a major city. This event underscores the vulnerability of urban centers to terrorism, which undermines the goal of making cities and human settlements safe and resilient.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article is a clear call for international cooperation, which is the essence of SDG 17. The Pakistani ambassador’s address to the UN Security Council is an appeal for the “international community to step up its efforts.” He urges “stronger international efforts to prevent access of illicit arms” and calls for the full global execution of the UN’s “Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.” This demonstrates the need for global partnerships to address transnational threats like arms trafficking and terrorism.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   This target is directly relevant to the article’s content. The suicide blast that killed 12 and injured nearly 30, the military clashes that killed “dozens,” and the reference to terrorist attacks causing the “loss of thousands of innocent lives” are all examples of the violence and death rates this target aims to reduce.

2. Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

   This is the core issue discussed. The article is centered on the “unchecked flow of advanced weapons,” “illicit transfer and unchecked use of small arms,” “smuggling networks,” and “illegal weapons being sold across black markets.” The ambassador’s speech is a direct plea to address and reduce these illicit arms flows.

3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

   The call for “stronger international efforts,” “international cooperation,” and the full implementation of the UN Programme of Action aligns with this target. It emphasizes the need for a global partnership to build the capacity required to combat the proliferation of illicit arms and terrorism.

4. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.

   The entire diplomatic effort described in the article—an ambassador addressing the UN Security Council to rally the “international community”—is an embodiment of this target. It is an attempt to mobilize a global partnership to address a shared security and development challenge.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population.

  The article provides concrete numbers that can be used for this indicator. The mention of “12 citizens been taken out” in a single terrorist attack and the broader statement about the “loss of thousands of innocent lives” due to terrorism are direct measures of violent deaths.

• Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population.

  The article refers to clashes between the Pakistani and Afghan militaries that resulted in “killing dozens.” This data point directly relates to measuring deaths resulting from conflict.

• Indicator 16.4.2: Proportion of seized, found or surrendered arms whose illicit origin or context has been traced or established by a competent authority.

  The article implies the use of this indicator by stating, “Weapons confiscated at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are traced back to stockpiles of weapons left behind by foreign forces in Afghanistan and illegal weapons being sold across black markets in Afghanistan.” This sentence describes the exact process of tracing the origin of seized illicit arms.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thenews.com.pk