Leftover US military equipment in Afghanistan a ‘risk’ to Pakistan’s security

Islamabad on Wednesday expressed concern that the US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan is a serious threat to Pakistan’s security.

A day before his inauguration as US president, Donald Trump spoke about America’s leftover weapons in Afghanistan. He said if the Islamic Emirate wants US aid, Afghanistan should return the weapons.

Responding to Trump’s statement, Pakistan foreign ministry’s spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan noted: “The presence of US advanced weapons in Afghanistan, left behind in the aftermath of the withdrawal of its troops in August 2021, has been an issue of profound concern for the safety and security of Pakistan and its citizens.

“These weapons have been used by terrorist organizations, including the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan), to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan. We have been repeatedly calling upon the de facto authorities in Kabul to take all necessary measures to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the wrong hands,” he added.

Reports suggest that the US left weapons in Afghanistan worth $7 billion.

The Islamic Emirate, however, has said that all military equipment left over from the US is under the control of the government and no group or individual has access to the stockpile.