ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan’s recent acts of aggression and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security.
In a statement, President Zardari said Pakistan would never accept any “controversial or misleading stance” on Jammu and Kashmir, adding that India’s claims regarding the disputed territory were illegal and contrary to international law and UN resolutions.
He expressed regret that the Afghan leadership had “turned away from the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” calling it an injustice to both history and the Muslim Ummah.
Zardari noted that the use of Afghan soil for attacks by the so-called “Fitna-al-Khawarij” — a reference to militant groups — was a documented fact acknowledged even in UN reports. He warned that the nexus between “the Khawarij and India” was targeting Pakistani civilians and security personnel.
The president urged the Afghan leadership to take concrete steps against anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from its soil, stressing that terrorism was a shared regional challenge that could not be borne by one country alone.
He reiterated that Pakistan would make no compromise on its sovereignty and had consistently extended all possible facilitation to Afghanistan in trade, economy, and connectivity.
“Mutual cooperation and economic partnership form the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity in the region,” he said, adding that Pakistan desired a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the cross-border aggression, saying Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable of defending every inch of the motherland.
He said Islamabad had always acted with restraint and responsibility but would respond firmly to any violation of its sovereignty.
“The government will take all necessary measures to protect Pakistan’s territorial integrity and ensure peace in the region,” the prime minister added.
The prime minister also lauded the Pakistan Army’s swift and professional response under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying the forces not only repelled the aggression but also neutralized several enemy positions, forcing a retreat.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s defense was in strong hands and that the nation stood united with its security forces against any provocation.
Dar urges Taliban to act against terrorists
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he was “deeply concerned” over the developments along the Pak‑Afghan border, calling unprovoked firing and raids by the Taliban government a “serious provocation.”
The statement said Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes targeted Taliban infrastructure and aimed to neutralize Fitna‑al‑Khawarij and Fitna‑al‑Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.
He said that the defensive response was not directed at the peace‑loving Afghan civilian population and that, unlike Taliban forces, Pakistan was exercising “extreme caution” to avoid civilian casualties.
Dar also reiterated its long‑standing position that combating terrorism is a shared regional responsibility and said it had repeatedly provided Kabul with information on terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory.
