Pakistan has issued a stern warning to the Taliban, stating that Islamabad will take all necessary defensive measures to safeguard its citizens if Kabul fails to take concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said Afghanistan has once again become a “safe haven” for terrorist groups and proxies, posing severe security threats to Pakistan, the region, and beyond.
“The Taliban must take decisive and verifiable measures against terrorist groups operating from their soil; otherwise, Pakistan will act to protect its citizens, territory, and sovereignty,” he warned.
The envoy highlighted that groups such as Daesh-K, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Balochistan Liberation Army, and Majeed Brigade are using Afghan territory as a base, operating dozens of camps that facilitate cross-border attacks, including suicide bombings.
He added that there is credible evidence of coordination among these groups, including joint training, weapons smuggling, sheltering militants, and planning attacks against Pakistan.
Ambassador Iftikhar urged the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to provide an objective assessment of the border security situation.
Despite Pakistan’s repeated efforts to engage with Taliban authorities, including talks in Doha and Istanbul, the envoy said there has been no meaningful action to curb militant activities.
He noted a sharp increase in terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan, resulting in nearly 1,200 Pakistani deaths this year alone.
Since 2022, over 214 Afghan terrorists, including suicide bombers, have been neutralized in counterterrorism operations in Pakistan.
The ambassador also called for the repatriation of Afghan refugees, stating, “For over four decades, Pakistan welcomed millions of Afghan refugees despite its own limitations and limited international support.
With the conflict in Afghanistan now over, we expect Afghan citizens to return to their homeland in a dignified, phased, and orderly manner.”
This statement reinforces Pakistan’s position that while it seeks dialogue, it will not tolerate continued cross-border terrorism.
Pak-Aghan tensions
The tension between the two neighbouring countries escalated after the Afghan Taliban and militants launched unprovoked attacks against Pakistan’s border posts on the night between October 11 and 12.
The clashes led to the killing of over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred defending the motherland.
Pakistan also conducted “precision strikes” deep inside Afghanistan, targeting terrorists in Kandahar province and Kabul. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire was announced on October 15 at Afghanistan’s request.
The two sides eventually reached an official ceasefire agreement on October 19 in Qatar in talks mediated by Doha and Turkiye.
Under the deal, terrorism from Afghanistan on Pakistani soil should have stopped immediately, with Islamabad and Kabul agreeing to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries.
The two sides then held further talks in Turkiye, which collapsed after Pakistan refused to accept the Taliban delegation’s “illogical” arguments and refusal to address Islamabad’s concerns regarding cross-border terrorism.
However, mediators persuaded Pakistan to give the talks another chance, which ultimately resulted in an agreement to uphold the ceasefire.
