Pakistan has conveyed a clear message to the Kabul regime to eliminate terrorism, stressing that how this goal is achieved is Afghanistan’s own responsibility.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a detailed briefing to senior journalists that the Taliban regime has been told in explicit terms to act decisively against terrorist groups operating from its soil. “Kabul has been told to end terrorism. How you do it is your job. The Taliban play football with the severed heads of our security personnel, how can there be any negotiations with them?” he said.
He made it clear that Pakistan never celebrated the Taliban’s return to power and continues to fight Taliban-linked groups. “Operations against the TTP, BLA and other organisations are ongoing. Pakistan’s security is guaranteed by its armed forces, and this guarantee is not to be given to Kabul,” he stated.
Responding to a question about drones, the DG ISPR said there is no agreement between Pakistan and the United States regarding drone operations, and no formal complaint has been received from the Taliban regime. “No American drones operate from Pakistan, and the Ministry of Information has clarified this several times,” he said, adding that there exists no arrangement allowing drones to fly from Pakistan into Afghanistan.
General Ahmed Sharif said the Taliban regime is facilitating terrorists, and that Pakistan had made its position clear during the recent Istanbul talks. “Terrorism must be controlled by them, and how it is to be done is their responsibility. These were our people, and when Pakistan conducted counter-terrorism operations, they fled to Afghanistan. They should be handed over so we can deal with them under our constitution and law,” he said.
He said the real issue is the nexus between terrorism, criminal networks and the TTP. “They cultivate opium and earn between 1.8 and 2.5 million rupees per acre. Entire communities and warlords side with them, and the proceeds are divided among the Afghan Taliban, TTP and warlords. Terrorism, drugs and smuggling all go hand in hand,” he noted.
The DG ISPR said the creation of new positions or posts within the military is solely the government’s prerogative. He clarified that the Pakistan Army never claimed to have conducted an operation in the Tirah Valley, adding that any such action would be publicly announced. “We have conducted intelligence-based operations in which nearly 200 of our officers and soldiers have been martyred. Supply convoys to our posts come under attack,” he said.
On a question about governor’s rule, he said it was not the army’s responsibility but that of the federal government. “Those who attack mosques and seminaries are being dealt with,” he maintained.
Regarding the upcoming Istanbul conference, he said Pakistan’s stance is clear — there should be no terrorism, no interference, and Afghan soil must not be used against any country. “The ceasefire agreement was achieved through our strength. The Afghan Taliban had approached our friendly countries at the time,” he added.
“We need no moral lectures, and we are not pleading under anyone’s thumb. We know how to protect our armed forces and our people,” the DG ISPR said.
Responding to a question about sending troops to Gaza, he said it was a matter for the government.
He said Pakistan’s 2,600-kilometre-long border with Afghanistan includes mountains and rivers. “A post can be set up every 25 to 40 kilometres, but not everywhere. Elsewhere, border guards exist on both sides, but here we must do it alone. Their guards fire at our soldiers to help terrorists cross, and we respond,” he stated.
The army spokesperson said that during Operation Maraka-e-Haq, the government, cabinet, armed forces and political parties made decisions jointly. “If the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government talks about negotiating with terrorists, that cannot happen. It only spreads confusion. The Taliban play football with the heads of our security personnel — how can there be negotiations with them?” he asked.
He said that religious scholars, the media and politicians must speak with one voice for decisive action against terrorism.
On a question about changing the Taliban regime, the DG ISPR said Pakistan does not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. “We never enter politics and we don’t speak like politicians. We speak directly,” he said.
On missile testing, he said that development continues in every country.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said that 62,113 intelligence-based operations have been conducted so far this year, resulting in the killing of 1,667 terrorists. “On average, around 207 operations take place every day, jointly carried out by the Army, Rangers and intelligence agencies. Among the killed terrorists, 128 were Afghan nationals. In these operations, 582 of our officers and soldiers have been martyred,” he said.
He added that more operations are being conducted in Balochistan, while more terrorists are being killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “These elements work against the state and collect money in the name of ushr, which is actually extortion. They want the border to remain open for hashish smuggling, and the proceeds are shared by the Taliban and warlords. This ‘ice’ is reaching our universities and destroying our young generation,” he said.
