Pakistan has urged the U.S. to buy back abandoned weapons in Afghanistan, warning they fuel insurgents. The $7 billion arsenal now threatens regional security and Pakistan’s stability.
Pakistan’s military has called on the United States to buy back weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal, warning that these arms are flooding black markets and empowering militant groups. Army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the uncontrolled sale of American weapons poses a direct threat to Pakistan’s security, Khaama.com reports.
The abandoned arsenal, valued by the Pentagon at more than $7 billion, includes armored vehicles, advanced rifles, biometric devices, and other sensitive technologies. Reports suggest that many of these weapons have been acquired by the Pakistani Taliban and are now being used in attacks against Pakistan’s army.
Prices for U.S.-made rifles have surged as supplies have dwindled. In Afghanistan markets such as Khost and Paktika, an M4 rifle sells for more than $4,200, while an M16 is priced at about $1,400. Chinese-made rifles are cheaper but remain less desirable to insurgents compared with American models.
Western outlets including The Washington Post and UnHerd have reported that up to 400,000 NATO-supplied weapons are now under Taliban control. Insurgent groups across Pakistan, from Islamist fighters in the north to Baloch separatists in the southwest, are said to be using these arms.
At the same time, Pakistan has stepped up its cooperation with the U.S. against Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Islamabad has captured and extradited several ISKP leaders, actions praised by President Donald Trump, which earned Army Chief Asim Munir a rare invitation to the White House.
Despite this, Pakistan views its most pressing threats as coming from the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatists. Attacks by these groups rose by more than 45 percent in 2024. Islamabad is seeking American support in the form of intelligence, counterinsurgency equipment, and renewed military aid.
The call to buy back U.S. weapons left in Afghanistan reflects Pakistan’s attempt to address an urgent regional security crisis. The uncontrolled trade of advanced arms continues to destabilize border areas.
While cooperation between Islamabad and Washington is slowly reviving, mistrust remains deep. Without stronger safeguards, abandoned weapons could continue to fuel insurgency and violence across South Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 22, 2025