Pakistan has underscored the delicate and complex nature of its relationship with Afghanistan, emphasizing the urgent need for effective border management, intelligence sharing, and regional cooperation in light of rising cross-border terrorism and security threats.
Recent attacks on Pakistani security forces in regions including Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu have highlighted vulnerabilities along the border and reinforced the imperative for robust surveillance and coordinated counterterrorism measures. According to reports from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a significant number of these attacks have been traced to Afghan territory, raising questions about claims by the Afghan interim authorities that their land is not being used for hostile operations.
Pakistan has affirmed that strengthening border monitoring and fortifications is essential to safeguard national sovereignty and the security of its citizens. However, reported cross-border violations and alleged support for extremist groups by elements within Afghanistan have contributed to growing tensions in bilateral relations.
The ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan, exacerbated by international sanctions, continues to destabilize the region and places additional pressure on Pakistan, particularly in the form of Afghan refugee flows. Pakistan has highlighted that the security challenge is no longer confined to physical borders; extremist narratives and propaganda are increasingly being spread through social media platforms, necessitating enhanced digital surveillance and media literacy initiatives.
Pakistan also emphasized the importance of balancing regional relations, particularly with neighboring Iran and Central Asian states, while simultaneously addressing internal security challenges and the broader regional instability caused by terrorism.
The Government of Pakistan has called upon the international community to engage proactively with Afghanistan, encouraging its leadership to adopt responsible and accountable policies that prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorist operations. Pakistan stressed that national security is not achieved solely through military measures, but through strategic dialogue, national unity, and comprehensive counterterrorism efforts.
Pakistan reaffirmed that sustainable peace in the region will remain unattainable until the Afghan authorities take decisive action to discourage and dismantle terrorist networks operating within their borders. The Government remains committed to working with global partners to ensure a secure, stable, and peaceful South Asia.
