ISLAMABAD

Pakistan has sought support from the UN in "countering terrorism within and from" Afghanistan, said an official statement on Wednesday.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar sought the support Tuesday when he met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, according to the statement from the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad.

While discussing the peace and security situation in the region, Dar "highlighted cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan and called for the UN's support in countering terrorism within and from Afghanistan," it said.

The foreign minister reaffirmed Islamabad's desire to provide humanitarian support to the millions of destitute people in Afghanistan and to promote its economic development, including through implementing connectivity projects between Central Asia and Pakistan through Afghanistan, it added.

While condemning Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian people, Dar reiterated Islamabad’s unwavering support for a two-state solution, with a viable, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also urged neighboring Afghanistan "to help in fighting terrorism, not in spreading terrorism."

Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist attacks in recent years.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of not taking action against militants loyal to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or the TTP, allegedly operating from Afghan soil. Kabul denies the charge.