The Government of Pakistan has formally lodged a strong protest with the Afghan Taliban authorities over the reported violation of Pakistani airspace on September 23, as well as a series of recent terrorist incidents and cross-border security violations originating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan has conveyed its serious concerns to the Afghan side through a formal demarche, delivered to the Afghan authorities on the instructions of the Government of Pakistan. The demarche places before the Afghan authorities Pakistan’s grave concerns regarding the reported violation of its airspace, recent terrorist attacks linked to elements operating from Afghan territory, and attempts at cross-border infiltration.
Through the diplomatic communication, Pakistan made it clear that terrorist attacks against Pakistani citizens and security personnel, as well as violations of its territorial integrity, cannot be allowed to continue without consequence.
Pakistan called upon the Afghan authorities to take effective, verifiable and immediate measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for activities directed against Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban authorities were also urged to take decisive action against terrorist elements operating from their territory and to ensure that Afghan soil is not used as a launching pad for attacks against Pakistan. Pakistan has consistently maintained that the responsibility for preventing terrorist organisations from operating from Afghan territory rests with the authorities exercising control over that territory.
The September 23 airspace violation was specifically raised by Pakistan as a serious matter requiring the attention of the Afghan authorities. Islamabad has stressed that respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental principle governing relations between neighbouring states. Pakistan considers any unauthorised intrusion into its airspace a serious security matter and has conveyed its concerns through established diplomatic channels. The demarche therefore serves as a formal expression of Pakistan’s position and its demand that such incidents not be repeated.
Pakistan also brought to the attention of the Afghan side its concerns regarding recent attempts at cross-border infiltration and security incidents along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier. Islamabad has repeatedly highlighted the security challenges arising from militant activity in the border region and has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete steps to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to plan, facilitate or execute attacks against Pakistan. Pakistan has made clear that its territorial integrity and the security of its citizens remain matters of the highest priority.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider also confirmed that Pakistan had formally conveyed its strong protest to the Afghan authorities over the recent terrorist incidents and the deteriorating security situation along the border. The Foreign Office has reiterated Pakistan’s concerns regarding terrorism emanating from Afghan territory and violations of Pakistan’s territorial and airspace security.
The latest demarche represents a formal diplomatic channel through which Islamabad has placed its concerns directly before the Afghan authorities and sought concrete assurances and action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Pakistan has called upon the Afghan Taliban authorities to translate their assurances concerning regional security into concrete and verifiable action. Islamabad has maintained that statements alone cannot address the threat posed by terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory and that effective measures must be taken against individuals and groups involved in planning or facilitating attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan has also stressed the importance of preventing cross-border movement by militant elements and strengthening mechanisms for securing the shared frontier.
Through the latest diplomatic protest, Pakistan has reiterated a clear position: Afghan territory must not be permitted to become a source of terrorism or cross-border attacks against Pakistan. Islamabad has conveyed that continued terrorist activity, border violations and unauthorised incursions into Pakistani territory or airspace are serious matters that demand credible action by the Afghan authorities.
Pakistan remains committed to pursuing diplomatic channels to address security concerns with Afghanistan, while maintaining that the protection of Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security is non-negotiable.
The Government of Pakistan has therefore urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to take immediate and effective measures against terrorist elements, prevent further violations along the shared border, and ensure that Afghan territory is not used for activities threatening Pakistan or regional peace and security.
