Pakistan on Thursday renewed its warning over the threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urging the international community to intensify collective efforts against terrorism and ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against any country, particularly Pakistan.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, Dar said terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan continue to pose a persistent threat to Pakistan’s security.
He stressed that the international community must strengthen coordinated efforts to eliminate terrorism, adding that no country should allow its territory to be used by terrorist groups against another state. Referring specifically to Afghanistan, he reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that Afghan soil must not serve as a launching pad for cross-border terrorist activities targeting Pakistan.
The deputy prime minister welcomed the Croatian foreign minister and his delegation, describing the visit as an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. He said Pakistan and Croatia enjoy cordial ties built on goodwill and mutual trust, and invited Croatian businesses to benefit from Pakistan’s investor-friendly economic policies.
Addressing regional issues, Dar criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the move amounted to using water as a weapon and constituted a violation of international law and treaty obligations.
He also described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as an important step towards promoting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman said his visit would further deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He noted that Pakistan and Croatia share a relationship founded on mutual respect and confidence and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in multiple sectors.
Pakistan has repeatedly maintained that terrorist groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Fitna al-Khwarij), continue to operate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Islamabad has consistently urged the Afghan interim authorities to honor their international commitments by preventing Afghan territory from being used for cross-border terrorism, while Kabul has repeatedly rejected the allegations.
The deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan remains a growing concern for regional and international stakeholders. Successive reports by the United Nations have highlighted the continued presence of multiple terrorist organizations in the country, warning that extremist networks retain the capability to threaten regional stability. While the global community continues to engage Afghanistan through diplomatic channels, humanitarian assistance and counterterrorism coordination, most countries have stopped short of formally recognizing the Taliban administration, insisting that stronger action against terrorist groups and adherence to international commitments remain essential for broader international engagement.
