Pakistan’s Foreign Office has warned that the presence of terrorist in Afghanistan poses a major threat to peace and security in the region, with the United Nations report confirming Pakistan’s stance, while cross-border attacks continue despite declared ceasefires.
Speaking at a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said there is concrete evidence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, with reliable intelligence showing that militants receive support from within Afghanistan. Pakistan possesses verified information on the numbers, identities, and financial backing of these groups.
He emphasised that diplomatic channels between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain active, with both countries’ ambassadors in their respective capitals, and bilateral issues continuously discussed through these channels.
“Pakistan will continue to support ongoing diplomatic engagement in the region,” he said. “The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be considered a routine measure. Its purpose was to stop terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan into Pakistan. We have evidence that attackers receive cross-border assistance, and the ceasefire has not been respected. Attacks from across the border continue.”
The spokesperson also referred to a regional meeting in Iran, where the presence of terrorist elements, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups, was discussed. He called such regional mechanisms important for consensus-building and consultation among neighbouring countries.
Andarani reiterated that terrorist groups in Afghanistan not only threaten Pakistan-Afghanistan relations but also undermine internal stability and development efforts in Afghanistan. The UN Security Council report confirms the presence of multiple terrorist organisations in Afghanistan, specifically mentioning the TTP and other foreign militants, validating Pakistan’s position.
On international consultations regarding the proposed International Stabilisation Force in Afghanistan, he noted that discussions are ongoing in some global capitals, but Pakistan has not received any formal request and has yet to make a decision on the matter.
Regarding the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, he condemned attempts to link Pakistan to the attack, calling such claims “regrettable and irresponsible.” He said one Pakistani individual’s name and photo were wrongly circulated in the media, putting the person and their family at risk. He added that while Indian media initially circulated false information, the attacker was later confirmed to be of Indian origin and holder of an Indian passport.
