Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations levelled by the Afghan Taliban regime regarding civilian casualties allegedly resulting from Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations. Such misleading narratives cannot obscure the grave threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory, nor can they absolve the Afghan Taliban regime of its responsibility to prevent the use of Afghan soil for planning, facilitating, and launching terrorist attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan has consistently raised serious concerns over the continued presence and activities of terrorist organizations operating from Afghanistan. The consequences of this persistent threat have been devastating, with more than 3,500 casualties resulting from terrorist attacks against Pakistan in 2026 alone. These figures underscore the magnitude of the security challenge confronting Pakistan and the urgent need for effective action against terrorist networks responsible for these attacks.
As reflected in the reporting of relevant United Nations mechanisms, including the Monitoring Team, the continued presence of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan remains a matter of serious concern for the international community. The Afghan Taliban regime has failed to take credible and verifiable measures to prevent these groups from exploiting Afghan territory as a safe haven and operational base. Among the organizations of particular concern are Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by Pakistan as Fitna al Khawarij, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), referred to by Pakistan as Fitna al Hindustan, and their affiliated networks. Their continued activities pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s security and to regional and international peace and stability.
For years, Pakistan has endured the devastating human cost of terrorism. Thousands of Pakistani civilians and members of its security forces have been martyred in attacks that Pakistan attributes to terrorist networks planning, financing, supporting, and operating from Afghan territory. These attacks have inflicted profound suffering on Pakistani families, undermined public security, and imposed enormous human and economic costs on the country. Pakistan has made immense sacrifices in combating terrorism and remains resolute in its determination to protect its people from this persistent threat.
It is deeply regrettable that, rather than taking effective action against terrorist organizations operating from its territory, the Afghan Taliban regime has sought to divert attention from its own responsibilities through allegations against Pakistan. Attempts to distort the facts or misrepresent Pakistan’s counter-terrorism measures will not diminish the seriousness of the threat or alter the fundamental obligation of the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure that its territory is not used to threaten the security of another state.
No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security personnel are repeatedly targeted by terrorist organizations operating across its borders. The Government of Pakistan has a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the lives of its citizens, defend its territorial integrity, and protect its national security. Pakistan will continue to discharge this responsibility with resolve, prudence, and a clear focus on eliminating the threat posed by terrorism.
Pakistan underscores that the measures undertaken in response to terrorist attacks have been in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence under international law. These actions have been guided by the principles of necessity and proportionality and undertaken as a measure of last resort in response to an ongoing and serious security threat. They have been directed exclusively against terrorist elements and their logistical support infrastructure in Afghanistan, with the objective of disrupting their capacity to plan and execute further attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s counter-terrorism actions have been calibrated to the nature and severity of the threat, while maintaining due regard for the principles of distinction and precaution. The scale and scope of these actions reflect restraint in the face of the frequency and gravity of terrorist attacks confronting Pakistan. Pakistan categorically rejects any insinuation that its actions are directed against Afghan civilians or intended to undermine the peace and stability of Afghanistan.
Pakistan reiterates that the protection of civilian lives and the security of its population remain paramount. However, the imperative of protecting innocent lives cannot be separated from the responsibility to prevent terrorist organizations from using neighbouring territory to conduct lethal attacks. No state should be expected to tolerate a situation in which terrorist networks continue to operate with impunity while its citizens pay the price in lives lost and communities devastated.
Pakistan calls upon the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfil its international obligations and honour its stated commitments by taking immediate, concrete, and verifiable action against all terrorist organizations operating from Afghan territory. This must include dismantling terrorist infrastructure, denying safe havens to militant groups, disrupting their financing and logistical support networks, and preventing Afghan soil from being used to plan, organize, or launch attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan also urges the international community, particularly the United Nations and its relevant bodies, to take serious note of the continuing threat posed by terrorist organizations operating from Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban regime must be held accountable for its failure to meet its obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and other applicable international commitments concerning the prevention and suppression of terrorism.
The international community must ensure that commitments to counter terrorism are translated into tangible and verifiable action. The continued presence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan is not merely a bilateral concern; it has wider implications for regional security and international peace. Allowing such organizations to operate without effective restraint risks undermining collective counter-terrorism efforts and jeopardizing the prospects for lasting stability across the region.
Pakistan remains committed to peace, stability, and constructive engagement with the international community. It believes that sustainable regional peace requires unequivocal action against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, compliance with international obligations, and effective cooperation to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting territorial sanctuaries. Pakistan’s preference remains for practical engagement and credible measures that address legitimate security concerns and prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Nevertheless, Pakistan’s commitment to peace must not be misconstrued as a willingness to compromise on its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or the security of its citizens. The Government of Pakistan will continue to take all necessary and appropriate measures, consistent with international law, to protect its national interests and prevent terrorist organizations from threatening its people with impunity.
Pakistan reiterates that the path to regional peace lies in ending the use of Afghan territory for terrorism, ensuring accountability for those responsible, and translating international commitments into decisive action on the ground. The Afghan Taliban regime must demonstrate, through concrete and verifiable steps, that it will no longer allow its territory to serve as a launching pad for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.
