Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said terrorism in Balochistan is being fueled by support from Pakistan’s eastern neighbor, alleging that militants are receiving funding, weapons and other resources while enjoying safe havens inside Afghanistan.
Chairing a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta, the prime minister said the recent surge in terrorist attacks underscored the need for an uncompromising national response, adding that the country’s political and military leadership remained fully united in the fight against terrorism.
The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, senior civil and military officials, heads of law enforcement agencies, federal ministers and the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs.
Addressing the participants, the prime minister said Balochistan had witnessed a series of serious terrorist incidents over the past four days, resulting in the martyrdom of 42 people, including civilians and security personnel. He said security forces had responded decisively by eliminating 54 terrorists during counterterrorism operations.
Sharif alleged that Pakistan’s eastern neighbor was investing heavily in destabilizing Balochistan by financing terrorist networks, supplying them with weapons and providing logistical support. He further stated that terrorists involved in attacks against Pakistan were operating from sanctuaries on Afghan soil. He also referred to the involvement of “other external elements,” but said he would not elaborate on them at this stage.
The prime minister reaffirmed that eliminating terrorism remained the government’s foremost priority. He said the entire state apparatus would continue working around the clock to eradicate the menace, stressing that the campaign would continue until the last terrorist was eliminated.
He said Pakistan’s recent diplomatic achievements had unsettled its adversaries, expressing confidence that the country was on course to achieving lasting peace, stability and economic prosperity. He added that the sacrifices rendered by the nation’s martyrs would not go in vain.
Earlier, the prime minister arrived in Quetta on a one-day visit, where he was received by the governor, the chief minister and senior civil and military officials.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that terrorist groups responsible for attacks inside the country, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, also referred to by Pakistani authorities as Fitna al-Khwarij, continue to benefit from sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan interim authorities to prevent their territory from being used for cross-border terrorism, while the Taliban administration has denied the allegations.
The security situation in Afghanistan continues to remain a major concern for regional and international stakeholders. United Nations assessments have repeatedly warned that several terrorist organizations retain an operational presence in the country despite counterterrorism commitments made under international agreements. While the international community continues to engage Afghanistan through humanitarian assistance, diplomatic dialogue and multilateral counterterrorism cooperation, formal recognition of the Taliban administration remains withheld by most countries, with many governments linking broader engagement to credible action against terrorist groups and compliance with international obligations.
