Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has highlighted Afghanistan’s emerging role as a hub for international terrorist organizations and the resulting threat to regional security. Speaking at a press briefing, he warned that the situation in Afghanistan has serious implications not only for Pakistan but also for other neighboring countries.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, BLA, and TTP have established operational bases in Afghanistan, using the country as a platform for planning and executing terrorism across the region. “Afghanistan has effectively become a sanctuary for terrorists, and their activities are impacting neighboring states,” he said.
The DG ISPR noted that recent intelligence indicates approximately 2,500 foreign terrorists from Syria have arrived in Afghanistan, none of whom are Pakistani nationals. “This influx presents a serious security risk to the entire region,” he added, stressing the need for urgent attention from the international community.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry highlighted that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan left behind large quantities of modern weapons, which are now being exploited by terrorist groups. “This arsenal poses a direct threat not only to Pakistan but to regional stability as a whole,” he warned.
The DG ISPR further pointed out that evidence exists showing India is allegedly supporting terrorist groups as proxies, providing them with financial and logistical resources. “Such activities constitute a serious threat to regional peace and security,” he said.
Commenting on the discourse around negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, Lieutenant General Chaudhry emphasized that ground realities cannot be ignored. He cited a recent attack on a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as evidence of the continuing threat, noting that Pakistan’s senior military leadership, including the Field Marshal, personally visited the site to reinforce the state’s firm stance against terrorism.
“Any country where terrorism reaches even five percent of the population cannot maintain stability,” he stated. “Afghanistan presents itself as a flagbearer of Islam while pursuing a war economy. To sustain this economy, conflict and terrorism are exported across the region. They continuously seek new sponsors for these activities, and financial backing from external sources, including India, fuels the spread of terrorism.”
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry concluded by underlining the importance of regional cooperation and international attention to address Afghanistan’s role in facilitating terrorism. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to defending its citizens and maintaining stability while warning that unchecked terrorist sanctuaries will continue to threaten peace across South Asia.
