Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said Pakistan would not tolerate any use of Afghan soil for terrorism and reiterated the government’s firm resolve to eliminate all militant networks threatening national security.
Addressing the Senate, Senator Dar said Pakistan had consistently conveyed to the Afghan interim government that its territory must not be used against Pakistan. He added that Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had contacted him several times to discuss the issue, but Pakistan’s stance remained unchanged: “We want peaceful borders, but terrorism cannot be ignored or negotiated.”
Dar recalled that the country had successfully defeated terrorism through operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, which were conducted under the joint civil-military framework. However, he cautioned that elements seeking to destabilize the country were again active and must be confronted through unity and resolve.
“The sacrifices of our armed forces will not go in vain,” he said, adding that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s emotional response to the martyrdom of soldiers reflected the military’s deep sense of national duty.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he believed in reconciliation on political matters but maintained that there could be no compromise when it came to terrorism. “Those who attack our soldiers or civilians will face decisive action,” he said.
Dar also referred to Pakistan’s regional diplomatic efforts, saying that during his visit to Kabul last year, he had urged Afghan authorities to prevent their soil from being used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups. He said Pakistan remained open to cooperation on border management and counter-narcotics, both of which were linked to terrorism financing.
On the domestic front, Dar said the government was engaged in consultations with coalition partners on constitutional matters, including the 27th Amendment, which would be presented transparently in Parliament as per rules and procedures.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s national focus must remain on internal stability, counter-terrorism, and regional peace. “We must learn from the past and move forward with clarity,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s military and political leadership were united against all forms of extremism and violence.
