Pakistan on Wednesday renewed its concerns over the continued use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups operating against the country, alleging that the Afghan Taliban regime was facilitating anti-Pakistan elements by providing them safe havens and manpower.
Addressing a press conference on the security situation in Balochistan, the military’s spokesperson said Pakistan had repeatedly conveyed its concerns to Kabul and the international community, maintaining that cross-border terrorist networks remained one of the principal drivers of violence inside Pakistan.
“We have repeatedly stated that Afghan soil is being used against Pakistan,” the spokesperson said, adding that the country’s position on the issue had remained consistent.
He alleged that the Afghan Taliban regime was acting as a facilitator for terrorist organizations by allowing them to operate from Afghan territory and by providing them with manpower.
According to the military spokesperson, a significant number of terrorists eliminated during recent counterterrorism operations were Afghan nationals, a development he said reinforced Pakistan’s longstanding concerns about the cross-border dimension of terrorism.
He also claimed that the planning behind the Karachi attack had taken place in Afghanistan, describing it as another example of terrorist networks operating beyond Pakistan’s borders before striking inside the country.
The spokesperson said the recent wave of violence in Balochistan could not be viewed in isolation, arguing that terrorist groups benefited from external support, cross-border movement and sanctuaries that enabled them to organize, recruit and launch attacks.
He maintained that Pakistan had consistently urged the Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used against neighboring countries, but regretted that terrorist groups continued to exploit Afghan soil.
The military spokesperson also announced that Pakistan would continue implementing its policy regarding illegal foreign nationals, saying all illegal Afghan nationals would be deported in accordance with state policy.
He stressed that the measure formed part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and deny terrorist organizations the ability to exploit undocumented cross-border movement.
Reiterating Pakistan’s position on the broader regional security environment, the spokesperson said terrorism remained a shared threat requiring concrete action rather than assurances.
He maintained that Pakistan had paid a heavy price in the fight against terrorism and would continue pursuing terrorist organizations and their facilitators wherever necessary.
The military spokesperson said recent operations in Balochistan demonstrated the state’s determination to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent externally supported networks from destabilizing the country.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s political and military leadership remained united on the issue of counterterrorism and would continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Concluding his remarks, the spokesperson said Pakistan sought peaceful and cooperative relations with all its neighbors but would continue defending its citizens against every threat, expressing confidence that the country’s campaign against terrorism would ultimately succeed.
