The Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken serious note of the recent statements by the Afghan Taliban Regime, which seek to deflect attention from Pakistan’s legitimate and longstanding security concerns through diversionary allegations against Pakistan’s security institutions. Such assertions cannot absolve the Regime of its fundamental responsibility to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s concerns are grounded in credible international assessments and persistent security threats, not conjecture. The United Nations Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, in its sixteenth report (S/2025/796), examined the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the US Lead Inspector General’s Operation Enduring Sentinel report to Congress for January–March 2026 stated that the Afghan Taliban continued to allow Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan territory, with Taliban support and greater freedom for the group contributing to increased attacks against Pakistan. The report estimated TTP strength at 4,000–6,000 fighters. These assessments underscore the seriousness of Pakistan’s concerns regarding terrorist sanctuaries and support networks operating from Afghan soil.
Assertions that Afghanistan lacks either the capacity or the intent to destabilise Pakistan do not address these documented concerns. Repeated attempts by armed terrorists to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, casualties among Afghan nationals and members of terrorist groups during Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations, and the recovery of foreign-origin weapons from terrorist elements warrant serious scrutiny. Pakistan has also raised concerns regarding the alleged facilitation of terrorist groups by Afghan Taliban officials, including in Kandahar. Such concerns demand credible explanations and verifiable action, not blanket denials or counter-allegations.
Pakistan’s security measures are directed against terrorist threats, not the Afghan people. The peace, security and prosperity of both countries are closely interconnected, and both peoples stand to benefit from a region free of terrorism. The Afghan Taliban Regime must take effective and demonstrable action to end any tolerance, facilitation or support for terrorist organisations, including TTP, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliates, and ensure that Afghan territory is not used to plan, prepare or launch attacks against Pakistan.
Attempts to portray Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and necessary defensive measures as hostility towards Afghanistan will neither change the facts nor resolve the underlying threat. Pakistan remains committed to protecting its citizens, sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard its national security.
Pakistan remains open to responsible engagement based on mutual respect, credible commitments and concrete action. However, meaningful progress requires the Afghan Taliban Regime to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries, disrupt support networks and prevent cross-border infiltration through verifiable measures. Regional peace cannot be achieved through denial or rhetoric; it requires decisive action against terrorism originating from Afghan territory. Pakistan expects the Afghan Taliban Regime to fulfil its obligations and demonstrate, through tangible results, its commitment to a peaceful and secure region.
