- Islamabad snubs Kabul’s attempts to blame Pakistan’s policies for frayed ties.
- Ministry says terror emanating from Afghan soil poisoning relations.
- Islamabad says won’t tolerate terrorist sanctuaries across border.
Pakistan has warned the Afghan Taliban regime that it will take all necessary measures under international law to protect its national security, saying Kabul’s failure to prevent terrorist activity from Afghan soil remains the main obstacle to improving bilateral relations.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the Taliban leadership was continuing to blame Islamabad’s policies while avoiding the central issue behind deteriorating ties: the presence of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan’s position is unequivocal: terrorism is a red line, and the security of its citizens is non-negotiable,” the ministry said, adding that Islamabad would not tolerate militant sanctuaries across the border that threaten its security.
The ministry said Pakistan reserved the right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to eliminate threats to its national security, wherever they originated.
“Pakistan’s resolve to protect its people must never be mistaken for weakness,” it said, holding the Afghan Taliban regime responsible for addressing threats emanating from its territory.
The ministry further rejected what it described as attempts by Kabul to shift blame, make hollow assurances and question Pakistan’s policies, saying such statements would neither resolve the crisis nor absolve the Afghan Taliban of its responsibilities.
“Pakistan’s security will not be held hostage to Afghan Taliban’s inaction, evasions or misplaced priorities,” it said, urging the Taliban leadership to recognise that responsibility for preventing threats from Afghan territory rested with it.
Tensions over cross-border terrorism
The latest statement comes amid persistent tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over Pakistan’s evidence-based allegations that militant groups, particularly the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghan territory and use it to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
In an October 24 statement, the Ministry of Information cited United Nations and US assessments on militant groups operating in Afghanistan, including the TTP, and called on the Afghan Taliban to take verifiable action against the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army.
The security situation has also deteriorated. According to figures compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), cited in a Geo.tv report, Pakistan recorded 225 militant attacks in September 2026, its highest monthly tally in 12 years.
Despite repeated diplomatic contacts and mediation efforts, the issue remains a major point of contention. In September, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Kabul wanted continued dialogue and cooperation with Islamabad, while Pakistan maintained that concrete action against militant groups was necessary to improve ties.
