Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani military forces have taken control of 19 Afghan border posts following a series of cross-border attacks, according to security sources, who described the operation as a response to what they called &ldquo;unprovoked aggression&rdquo; from Afghanistan. The offensive began late Saturday night and continued into the early hours of Sunday, with Pakistani forces deploying heavy artillery to strike Taliban positions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier. Security sources said Afghan forces manning the posts were either killed or fled, leaving behind weapons, uniforms, and abandoned installations. Video footage obtained by Pakistan TV Digital shows extensive destruction at multiple locations, including fires at captured posts and the interiors of seized installations strewn with military gear. In one clip, an Afghan Taliban fighter appears to surrender to Pakistani troops. Among the key positions targeted were posts in Qila Abdullah&rsquo;s Liaoband sector, Barabcha, Kharchar Fort in Chitral, and the Taliban&rsquo;s Manojba Camps 2 &amp; 3. Pakistani sources alleged that Kharchar Fort had served as a command hub for militant operations, while the Barabcha battalion was facilitating cross-border terrorist infiltration into Pakistan. A tank position located on a peak across from Pakistan&rsquo;s Kurram district was also hit, destroying several Taliban tanks, according to the sources. Officials described the operation as a &ldquo;targeted response&rdquo; against terrorist hideouts and training centers, stressing that Pakistan had no intention of harming Afghan civilians or public infrastructure. They accused the Afghan interim government and &ldquo;Indian-sponsored terrorist networks&rdquo; of orchestrating the aggression. &ldquo;This is not a war between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan,&rdquo; the security sources said. &ldquo;It is a fight against terrorist elements operating in Afghanistan under Indian patronage. Pakistan reserves the right to respond more forcefully to any future aggression or terrorism.&rdquo; The Taliban government&rsquo;s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, presented counter-claims&nbsp;in a press conference in Kabul, saying that &ldquo;the situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented.&rdquo; Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar urge restraintSaudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar on Sunday expressed concern over the escalating border clashes, calling on both nations to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue. &ldquo;The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia follows with concern the tensions and clashes witnessed in the border areas between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State of Afghanistan,&rdquo; the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X, formerly Twitter. Qatar&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry also warned of the potential repercussions for regional stability, urging both sides to prioritize &ldquo;dialogue, diplomacy, and restraint.&rdquo; Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry issued a similar statement, calling on Islamabad and Kabul to avoid escalation. &ldquo;Iran is closely monitoring developments and calls on both sides to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation,&rdquo; a spokesperson in Tehran said. &ldquo;Peace and cooperation must prevail over confrontation.&rdquo; Border crossings closedKey crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan were closed Sunday after intense overnight clashes, following Taliban accusations that Islamabad had conducted airstrikes earlier in the week, officials said. Officials on both sides confirmed that the Torkham crossing, connecting Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Afghanistan&rsquo;s Nangarhar, and the Chaman crossing, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) southwest, were shut down. &lsquo;Provocations by Afghanistan&rsquo;Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he described as &ldquo;provocations by Afghanistan&rdquo; along the border overnight. &ldquo;There will be no compromise on Pakistan&rsquo;s defense,&rdquo; Sharif said in a statement. &ldquo;Every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.&rdquo; Sharif also slammed the Taliban government for allowing Afghan soil to be used by &ldquo;terrorist elements&rdquo; targeting Pakistan.

Security

Security sources report that Afghan forces manning the posts were either killed or fled their positions; video footage shows widespread destruction at multiple locations.

Captured 19 Afghan posts in response to unprovoked cross-border aggression: Pak security sources

ISLAMABAD: Russian and Pakistani military forces concluded their joint &ldquo;Druzhba 2025&rdquo; exercises in southern Russia, the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan said in a post on the social media platform X. The annual drills brought together about 200 servicemen from both countries, including Russia&rsquo;s Southern Military District Special Operations Forces and special forces units of the Pakistan Army, to work on actions to counter international terrorism. According to the statement, the exercises focused on joint tactical operations to counter international terrorism, enhance coordination, and strengthen operational readiness between the two forces. The training concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing distinguished participants, followed by an exchange of souvenirs featuring the Druzhba 2025 insignia &mdash; a tradition marking the enduring defense cooperation between Russia and Pakistan. Launched in 2016, the Druzhba (meaning &ldquo;friendship&rdquo; in Russian) exercises alternate between Russia and Pakistan each year. The 2025 edition continues efforts to expand bilateral defense collaboration, military understanding, and partnership between the two nations.

Pakistan Army and Russian Special Forces personnel pose for a group photo during the Druzhba 2025 joint military exercises in southern Russia (Embassy of Russia in Pakistan/ X).

Both military forces concluded their joint 'Druzhba 2025' exercises in southern Russia, the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan said in a post on the social media platform X.

Pakistan, Russia hold joint counterterrorism drills in southern Russia

Muhammad Imad Abbas

Muhammad Usman Amin

Mariam Ellahi

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: Afghanistan has requested Pakistan to halt its &ldquo;heavy counteraction&rdquo; after the Pakistan Army launched a strong and sustained response to unprovoked cross-border firing from Afghan forces, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;According to the sources, Afghan troops carried out unprovoked firing late Saturday night across multiple points along the Pak-Afghan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate the infiltration of Khawarij formations, a faction Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).&nbsp;Pakistan Army positions responded with full force using artillery, tanks, and aerial assets, effectively targeting Afghan military posts and militant hideouts.&nbsp;&ldquo;A strong and decisive response from the Pakistan Army against Afghan forces is ongoing. Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,&rdquo; security sources said. &ldquo;Several Afghan posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies at their posts following Pakistan&rsquo;s effective and intense response.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security sources confirmed that Afghanistan has formally requested Pakistan to halt its counteraction, as Pakistani forces continue to target positions linked to Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.&nbsp;The sources further revealed that Pakistani forces employed a combination of precision artillery and drone strikes to destroy multiple Afghan posts. &ldquo;The Army&rsquo;s timely and decisive action has neutralized key militant hideouts under the protection of Afghan authorities,&rdquo; one official added.&nbsp;District administration officials confirmed that several missiles were fired from the Afghan side targeting civilian areas across the border, prompting Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;measured but powerful&rdquo; military response to protect its citizens.&nbsp;Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s unprovoked firing, calling it a &ldquo;blatant violation of international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s brave forces have shown, with an immediate and effective response, that any provocation will not be tolerated,&rdquo; Naqvi said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our forces are vigilant, and Afghanistan is being answered brick for brick. The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,&rdquo; he added, referring to India.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response, just as India was, so it will not dare cast a covetous eye toward Pakistan,&rdquo; the minister warned.&nbsp;Defence analyst Hassan Khan told Pakistan TV that the current Afghan behavior reflected a deep betrayal of Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing support.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan hosted millions of Afghans for decades. Now, their behavior has completely changed,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;Afghanistan is harbouring and providing hideouts to groups like the TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade. Their forces are now giving cover to Fitna al-Khawarij to harm Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;Another analyst, Agha Iqrar, stressed that Pakistan must reassess its Afghan strategy.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan Taliban are not only hosting, harbouring, and funding TTP and Fitna al-Khawarij, but more than 42 militant groups are operating from Afghan soil,&rdquo; he noted. &ldquo;Pakistan must take decisive action and redefine its Afghan policy.&rdquo;&nbsp;Taliban officials in Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Helmand confirmed to AFP that clashes were ongoing along several points of the border.&nbsp;The escalation follows two days after a deadly terrorist attack on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan, in which six policemen, including trainees, embraced martyrdom. According to ISPR, members of &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the facility but were eliminated after an intense firefight.&nbsp;In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia and Iran have both called for restraint and dialogue.&nbsp;The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a statement by its ministry of foreign affairs, said:&nbsp;&ldquo;The Kingdom is following with concern the tensions and clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. We urge both sides to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize dialogue and wisdom to preserve regional stability.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Saudi Arabia reaffirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at strengthening peace and prosperity for the two brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.&rdquo;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iran&rsquo;s ministry of foreign affairs expressed similar concern, urging both countries to resolve their differences peacefully.&nbsp;&ldquo;Iran is closely monitoring developments and calls on both sides to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation,&rdquo; an Iranian spokesperson said in Tehran. &ldquo;Peace and cooperation must prevail over confrontation.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security officials in Islamabad reiterated that Pakistan remains resolute in defending its sovereignty.&nbsp;&ldquo;Any future aggression or attempt to aid terrorist infiltration will be met with a strong and immediate response,&rdquo; one senior source emphasized.

Islamabad’s security sources say Pakistan Army’s strong and coordinated retaliation destroyed multiple Afghan border posts, forcing Afghan troops to flee amid mounting casualties. The clashes follow recent militant attacks in Dera Ismail Khan linked to Afghanistan-based groups.

Afghanistan urges Pakistan to halt ‘heavy counteraction’: security sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed &ldquo;strong reservations&rdquo; over elements of the India-Afghanistan Joint Statement issued on October 10 in New Delhi and the accompanying remarks by the Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi, the foreign office said, terming them contrary to international law and regional stability.&nbsp;According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Pakistan conveyed its strong objections to Afghanistan&rsquo;s diplomat in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shekib, through the additional foreign secretary.&nbsp;The ministry said that the reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India in the joint statement was &ldquo;a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions&rdquo; and disregarded &ldquo;the legal and internationally recognized disputed status of the territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The statement is highly insensitive to the sacrifices and sentiments of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self-determination,&rdquo; MOFA said.&nbsp;Pakistan also strongly rejected the Afghan interim foreign minister&rsquo;s remarks suggesting that &ldquo;terrorism was Pakistan&rsquo;s internal problem.&rdquo; The foreign office termed the statement misleading and contrary to ground realities.&nbsp;It emphasized that Islamabad has repeatedly shared credible evidence with Kabul regarding the presence of Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, factions identified as Indian-sponsored proxies of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghan soil with external support and conducting cross-border attacks inside Pakistan.&nbsp;The development comes amid heightened tensions following a deadly terrorist assault on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan on the night of October 10&ndash;11. The attack, claimed by elements linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, resulted in the martyrdom of six policemen and injuries to several others. Pakistani security agencies have since reiterated their stance that such groups receive facilitation from across the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;It was underscored that deflecting the responsibility of controlling terrorism towards Pakistan cannot absolve the Interim Afghan Government of its obligations to ensure peace and stability in the region,&rdquo; the statement read.&nbsp;MOFA further noted that Pakistan has hosted nearly four million Afghans for over four decades out of goodwill and humanitarian concern. With improving conditions in Afghanistan, Islamabad reiterated its stance that unauthorized Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan should return to their homeland, while emphasizing that Pakistan continues to issue medical and study visas on humanitarian grounds.&nbsp;Reaffirming its commitment to regional peace and cooperation, Pakistan said it remains desirous of a &ldquo;peaceful, stable, regionally connected, and prosperous Afghanistan.&rdquo; However, the statement concluded that Islamabad &ldquo;expects the Interim Afghan Government to take concrete steps to prevent its territory from being used by Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements against Pakistan.&rdquo;

Foreign Affairs

Islamabad says it has shared evidence with Kabul on Indian-sponsored militant groups operating from Afghan soil and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir’s disputed status, reaffirmed by UN resolutions, cannot be altered by political statements or alliances.

Pakistan raises concerns over India-Afghanistan statement, rejects Afghan minister’s remarks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart exchanged views on the ongoing situation in the Middle East, especially the developments in Gaza. A telephonic conversation was held between the two leaders, according to a statement released by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. Developments in GazaPakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty, it said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1976911958873194844&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=344a9fbe5eaf2d6414c517f6e95858521841675c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 793px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1976911958873194844"></iframe></div></div>According to the statement, the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing situation in the Middle East, particularly the developments in Gaza and Palestine. They also discussed regional diplomatic efforts and coordination ahead of the forthcoming Summit scheduled to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, it said. Humanitarian crisis in Gaza&nbsp;Moreover, the Pakistani foreign minister also spoke with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov on Saturday, said another statement released by the ministry.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1976928275449471195&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=344a9fbe5eaf2d6414c517f6e95858521841675c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 798px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1976928275449471195"></iframe></div></div>They discussed the situation in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The two ministers also exchanged views on the broader efforts by Arab-Islamic countries to promote peace and stability in the region, as well as on the forthcoming summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the statement added. According to AFP, US President Donald Trump has said he expects to head to the Middle East on Sunday, with stops in Egypt, where the talks took place, and Israel. New Gaza police force&nbsp;With Egypt&#39;s support, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has scheduled a reconstruction conference to take place a month after the ceasefire, Reuters reported on Thursday. Updated World Bank estimates put reconstruction costs for Gaza at $80 billion, up from $53 billion last October, he said. That&#39;s four times the combined GDP of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2022, according to the multilateral lender. Arab states including Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar backed the Saudi-French plan, which called for a transitional administrative committee to be formed &quot;under the umbrella of the&quot; PA, and foresaw the deployment of an international stabilization mission at the PA&#39;s invitation. The Trump plan foresees a temporary international stabilization mission deploying to train and support vetted Palestinian police forces, saying it would &quot;consult with Jordan and Egypt&quot;, Reuters reported. Mustafa said the PA had already nominated some 5,500 Palestinians to be part of a new Gaza police force being trained by Egypt. The goal is to train at least 10,000 people.

Views exchanged on the ongoing situation in the Middle East, particularly the developments in Gaza and Palestine; regional diplomatic efforts discussed ahead of the forthcoming Summit scheduled to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday. 

Pakistan’s foreign minister discuss situation in Gaza with Egyptian, Azeri counterparts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan respects Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty but has expressed concern over the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a weekly press briefing on Friday. He stated that while Pakistan acknowledges Afghanistan&#39;s right to determine its foreign policy, it requests that Afghan soil not be used for attacks on Pakistan. Targeted operations against terroristsThe foreign office spokesperson stated that Pakistan was conducting targeted operations against terrorists along the border to protect its citizens. These operations are being carried out with precision based on credible intelligence as Pakistan aims to eliminate threats from militant groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which have destabilized the region. &ldquo;Pakistan believes Afghanistan must restore its sovereignty and security and eliminate terrorist groups,&rdquo; Shafqat Ali Khan said. He called for collective regional action to address the threat posed by groups like the TTP, which destabilize both countries. Diplomatic engagement and cooperation with AfghanistanPakistan has always preferred dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues, even in the face of threats. The Pakistani spokesperson called on Afghan authorities to prevent terrorism emanating from their soil since both &ldquo;Pakistan and Afghanistan share an interest in fighting terrorism and ensuring regional stability.&rdquo; Strengthening ties with Saudi ArabiaPakistan&rsquo;s relationship with Saudi Arabia has been strengthening, especially in the areas of trade and investment. Shafqat Ali Khan spoke about the recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where both sides discussed expanding economic ties under the Pakistan-Saudi Joint Business Council. The talks focused on increasing cooperation in trade, investment, and sectors aligned with Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Vision 2030 and Pakistan&rsquo;s economic agenda. Both countries are aiming to develop partnerships in textiles, logistics, agriculture, energy, and defense. Pakistan-Tajikistan bilateral cooperationThe Foreign Office also shared details about the sixth Pakistan-Tajikistan Political Consultation meeting held in Dushanbe on September 29-30, 2025. The Pakistani delegation, led by Syed Ali Asif Gilani, and the Tajik delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Farrukh Sharifzada, discussed trade, defense, energy, education, and cultural ties. The two sides agreed to increase trade in textiles, logistics, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals and to speed up the $1.16 billion hydroelectricity project, CASA-1000, to improve energy and regional connectivity. Cooperation on counterterrorism and training programs was also discussed.&nbsp; The next meeting will be held in Islamabad in 2026. Quadrilateral Meeting of Special Representatives for AfghanistanPakistan&rsquo;s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq, represented the country at a quadrilateral meeting in Moscow with China, Iran, and Russia.&nbsp; The foreign office spokesperson noted that Muhammad Sadiq also held bilateral meetings with senior officials from these countries to discuss regional cooperation and security. US investment proposal in Pasni PortShafqat Ali Khan also addressed reports about a new port being developed with American investment, clarifying that the project is still in the early stages.&nbsp;&ldquo;Discussions on these proposals are in the initial stage,&rdquo; he said, adding that no official policy or initiative has been set by the Pakistani government. Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policyThe Pakistani spokesperson stated that Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policy was based on mutual respect and non-alignment in global politics. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s priority is economic stability and national security. We do not want to be part of any bloc politics,&rdquo; he said.

Pakistan’s diplomatic approach focuses on strengthening regional cooperation, ensuring security, and maintaining neutrality in international politics. The country aims to resolve conflicts peacefully while protecting its sovereignty and economic interests.

Pakistan respects Afghan sovereignty but warns against threats from Afghan soil

PESHAWAR: In a crowded corridor of Peshawar&rsquo;s Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Waheedullah sits quietly on a plastic chair, his hands wrapped around a chipped cup of tea. His eyes dart toward the intensive care ward every time the door opens. Inside lies his younger brother, Inayatullah, who has just undergone surgery, his fourth in two years. &ldquo;We came here because the doctors in Kabul said Pakistan was our only hope,&rdquo; he tells Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;Back home, they had done everything they could. But my brother was still in pain.&rdquo; Waheedullah and his family travelled from Afghanistan&rsquo;s Kunar province, carrying little more than a few clothes and a small bag of documents. Their journey through the Torkham border was long and anxious, one that thousands of Afghans make each month in search of medical care they can no longer find at home.&nbsp;Lifeline across the borderFor Afghans like Inayatullah, Pakistan&rsquo;s hospitals have become a lifeline. Every day, a quiet stream of patients crosses into Peshawar, a city now known as a hub for cross-border healthcare. &ldquo;We receive about 10 to 12 Afghan patients daily on medical visas,&rdquo; said Dr Muhammad Ikram, a resident surgeon at HMC. &ldquo;Most of them come with complicated cases, often after unsuccessful surgeries in Afghanistan. Many are post-operative or cancer patients who simply couldn&rsquo;t get the right treatment there.&rdquo; Afghanistan&rsquo;s healthcare system has been in free fall since 2021. The Taliban&rsquo;s return to power, the withdrawal of aid, and the exodus of trained professionals have left hospitals struggling to function. The World Health Organization estimates that one in five Afghans has no access to even basic healthcare. &ldquo;Patients often arrive in serious condition,&rdquo; Dr Ikram added. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s heartbreaking because many of these complications could have been prevented.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Getting a visa&rsquo;At the nearby Torkham crossing, Afghan patients must present their medical documents for verification by a Pakistani doctor before being allowed entry. Shakeela, an Afghan student in Pakistan, recalls the ordeal of getting her father across for treatment. &ldquo;The medical visa is easier than others, but it&rsquo;s still a long process,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;And if the treatment takes longer than the visa, you have to go back to Torkham to renew it. Imagine doing that when your father is on chemotherapy.&rdquo; Despite the hurdles, most families say they find compassion once they arrive. &ldquo;The hospital took us in without delay,&rdquo; Waheedullah said. &ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t ask for money right away, they just said, &lsquo;Let&rsquo;s start the treatment.&rsquo;&rdquo; According to Dr Ikram, core services such as doctor consultations, nursing, and hospital rooms are provided free of charge. Only certain medicines or specialized materials need to be bought privately.&nbsp;&lsquo;They treated us like family&rsquo;In another ward, Khawar, who travelled from Jalalabad with his wife, shares a similar story.&nbsp; &ldquo;In Afghanistan, they told us there was nothing more they could do,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Here, they treated us like family. The doctors listened, they explained, they cared.&rdquo; His wife&rsquo;s treatment is ongoing, but he says the kindness he encountered has stayed with him. &ldquo;When someone is sick, you stop thinking about borders. You just want help. And here, we found it.&rdquo;&nbsp;Prayers and hopeAs night settles over the hospital, the hum of machines mixes with the soft call to prayer echoing from a nearby mosque. Families spread their prayer mats along the corridor floors, quietly raising their hands for the health of their loved ones. Waheedullah joins them, bowing his head on a small mat he carries folded in his bag. &ldquo;In our village, when someone is ill, we pray together,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Here, I pray alone, but Allah is listening.&rdquo; When the prayer ends, he rolls up the mat carefully and returns to his seat, eyes fixed once again on the ward door. &ldquo;Pakistan gave my brother a second chance,&rdquo; he says quietly. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s something we will never forget.&rdquo;&nbsp;Compassion as diplomacyDespite the political strains between the two countries, Pakistan&rsquo;s hospitals continue to treat thousands of Afghan nationals each year. Health officials say the arrangement is both humanitarian and practical, an extension of decades of cross-border ties. &ldquo;When a patient crosses that border, they&rsquo;re not Afghan or Pakistani. They&rsquo;re just human,&rdquo; said one senior health official at HMC. And as the corridors of Peshawar&rsquo;s hospitals fill with whispered prayers and waiting hearts, that simple truth seems to carry louder than any politics, that in the act of healing, humanity itself finds its voice.

Health

Afghanistan’s collapsing healthcare system has forced thousands to seek treatment in Pakistan. With hospitals back home under-equipped and understaffed since 2021, Peshawar’s medical facilities have become a critical lifeline for Afghans in desperate need of care.

Healing without borders: Afghan patients find lifeline in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: India will be upgrading its technical mission in the Afghan capital Kabul to an embassy, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Friday. He said this in his opening remarks at his meeting with Foreign Minister of Interim Afghan Government, Amir Khan Mutaqqi, in New Delhi on Friday. Jaishankar said India appreciated interim Afghan government&rsquo;s sensitivity toward India&rsquo;s security concerns, adding &ldquo;your solidarity with us in the aftermath of Pahalgam terrorist attack was noteworthy.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan.&rdquo; &nbsp; Embassy in Kabul&nbsp;Jaishankar said, &ldquo;closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development as well as regional stability and resilience, to enhance that I am pleased to announce today, the upgrading of India&rsquo;s technical mission in Kabul to the status of embassy of India.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1976537194497024330&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=7d1627108eab2ca3541d9f45390c58e6df4ac9f1&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 618px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1976537194497024330"></iframe></div></div>The meeting between the two foreign ministers is a first high-level diplomatic engagement with New Delhi since Taliban seized power in 2021 after two decades of US military presence, the Associated Press reported on Friday. Temporary travel exemptionAmir Khan Muttaqi, who is among multiple Afghan Taliban leaders under UN sanctions that include travel bans and asset freezes, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after the UN Security Council Committee granted a temporary travel exemption to him. The visit comes after Muttaqi&rsquo;s participation on Tuesday at an international meeting on Afghanistan in Russia that included representatives from China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Muttaqi&rsquo;s India visit highlights the Taliban administration&rsquo;s efforts to seek international recognition and underscores India&rsquo;s strategic move to counter its regional rivals. &lsquo;Engaging discussions&rsquo;&nbsp;Randhir Jaiswal, Indian&rsquo;s foreign ministry spokesman, extended a welcome to Muttaqi in a post on X on Thursday and said: &ldquo;We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues.&rdquo; India&rsquo;s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai in January. It was followed by telephone conversations between Muttaqi and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India&#39;s foreign minister. India&rsquo;s special envoy to Afghanistan visited Kabul in April to discuss political and trade relations. &lsquo;Strategic reassessment&rsquo;&nbsp;Experts say India&rsquo;s decision to engage with the Taliban at higher levels reflects its strategic reassessment, shaped in part by the consequences of previous non-engagement, as well as to avoid falling behind its primary strategic rivals. Praveen Donthi, senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, said Muttaqi&rsquo;s visit marks India&rsquo;s pragmatic engagement with the Taliban. &ldquo;New Delhi views the world through the prism of its rivalry with either China, Pakistan, or both. The Taliban&rsquo;s efforts at a balanced foreign policy, which involves establishing relations with rival countries and groups, mirror New Delhi&rsquo;s own playbook,&rdquo; Donthi said. Strategic counterbalance&nbsp;The visit comes while Afghanistan&rsquo;s ties with Pakistan are strained, especially over refugee deportations and border tensions, and India&rsquo;s engagement is seen as a strategic counterbalance to Pakistan&rsquo;s influence. India also aims to limit Chinese dominance in Afghanistan through infrastructure and diplomatic presence. &ldquo;With Beijing proactively engaging the Taliban, New Delhi wouldn&rsquo;t want its primary strategic rival to hold exclusive influence over Kabul,&rdquo; Donthi said. He said Pakistan had a similar hold over the Taliban in the past, but due to its deteriorating ties with Islamabad, New Delhi sees an opportunity to &ldquo;develop modest influence over Kabul and strengthen its position as a regional power.&rdquo; When the Taliban took over Kabul four years ago, Indian security analysts had feared that it would benefit Pakistan and feed the struggle in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. But New Delhi maintained a steady contact with the Taliban despite these concerns. It established a technical mission in Kabul in 2022, a year after the Taliban returned to power, focusing on humanitarian aid and development support. It continued engagement through backchannel diplomacy and regional forums that subsequently prompted increased engagement between the two countries this year. India has long hosted tens of thousands of Afghan nationals, including students and businesspeople, many of whom fled the country after the Taliban rule. Afghanistan&rsquo;s embassy in New Delhi shut down permanently in November 2023, but its consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad continue to operate with limited services.&nbsp;De jure recognitionGautam Mukhopadhaya, who was India&rsquo;s ambassador in Kabul between 2010 and 2013, said the engagement between India and Afghanistan &ldquo;may or may not lead to formal de jure recognition (of the Taliban government), although protocol gestures for the visit suggest the former.&quot; The Taliban have engaged in high-level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries, including China and the United Arab Emirates. In July, Russia became the first country to recognize the Taliban government after removing the group from its list of outlawed organizations. Still, the Taliban government has been relatively isolated on the world stage, mainly over its restrictions on women, the Associated Press reported. Mukhopadhaya said India should not take &ldquo;that additional step to legitimize oppressive and unpopular Taliban rule internally&rdquo; and &ldquo;should preserve some levers to enable positive change internally for the benefit of all Afghans.&rdquo;

Asia

India will reopen its embassy in Kabul, upgrading its technical mission, signaling strategic engagement with the Taliban. The move aims to counter China and Pakistan’s influence.

India to reopen its embassy in Kabul: Foreign Minister Jaishankar 

ISLAMABAD: Amazon&rsquo;s Project Kuiper will introduce satellite broadband services in Pakistan by the end of 2026, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) announced on Thursday. The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and a delegation from Amazon&rsquo;s Project Kuiper team, focusing on expanding digital access and integrating advanced satellite technology into Pakistan&rsquo;s connectivity network. Project Kuiper, Amazon&rsquo;s global low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite initiative, aims to deliver high-speed internet to underserved and remote regions worldwide. In Pakistan, the company plans to establish ground infrastructure, including gateway stations and Points of Presence (PoPs), to ensure reliable and wide-ranging connectivity. The service will reportedly offer speeds of up to 400 Mbps through affordable user terminals, using a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide stable and fast broadband coverage. Welcoming the development, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Project Kuiper&rsquo;s entry into Pakistan marks a significant step toward advancing digital inclusion and strengthening the country&rsquo;s connectivity ecosystem. &ldquo;These investments align with the government&rsquo;s vision of building a Digital Nation Pakistan, where every citizen, regardless of geography, has access to fast, affordable, and secure internet services,&rdquo; the minister said. According to the IT ministry, the collaboration will help bridge Pakistan&rsquo;s digital divide, attract new investment opportunities in the IT and telecom sectors, and strengthen national digital infrastructure. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting global technology partnerships in line with the government&rsquo;s goal of creating a modern, connected, and inclusive Digital Pakistan.

Gadgets

Project to offer high-speed satellite broadband in Pakistan by 2026, delivering up to 400 Mbps through affordable terminals and a 3,236-satellite network to expand reliable internet access to remote and underserved regions.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper to launch satellite internet in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Thursday that the government plans to send a delegation to Afghanistan, citing &ldquo;unbearable&rdquo; security concerns following a series of deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces. Speaking at the National Assembly, Asif called for unity among federal and provincial governments, urging them to stand firmly behind the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. &ldquo;Our political community must acknowledge this,&rdquo; Asif said. &nbsp;&ldquo;Those of us who govern, whether federally or provincially, must on this issue speak with one voice.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Stand with our armed forces, with the martyrs, and with the veterans.&rdquo; His remarks came a day after 18 security personnel were martyred in two separate attacks in northwestern Pakistan. The defense minister warned that those providing sanctuaries to militants, whether &ldquo;on this side or Afghan soil,&rdquo; will be held accountable. &ldquo;No one should have any doubt: if four, five, ten or fifteen people from a sanctuary attack one of our military convoys, the response will be given,&rdquo; he said, adding that collateral damage would be inevitable. &ldquo;Collateral damage may occur, and everyone will have to bear it. Those sanctuary villages will also pay the price; those who shelter militants will pay the price,&rdquo; Asif emphasized. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns in regional and international forums about safe havens for militant groups across its western border. At the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s stance, calling on the Afghan interim authorities to take &ldquo;effective action&rdquo; against groups operating from their territory and to ensure Afghan soil is not used for terrorism. A UN Security Council (UNSC) monitoring report released in July also stated that the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to train and operate from camps inside Afghanistan. Over the past ten months, Pakistan has lost approximately 621 security personnel in its ongoing war against terrorism, while around 880 militants have been killed in Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) conducted nationwide. The proposed delegation&rsquo;s visit to Kabul underscores Pakistan&rsquo;s urgent call for regional cooperation to tackle cross-border terrorism and hold militant sanctuaries accountable, a step aimed at restoring stability and protecting lives on both sides of the border.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif says Islamabad plans to send a delegation to Kabul amid worsening security concerns, urging national unity and warns militant sanctuaries, whether in Pakistan or Afghanistan, will be targeted following recent deadly attacks on security forces


Pakistan to send delegation to Afghanistan, warns militant sanctuaries ‘unbearable’

Ayesha Mir

How did decades-old child grooming scandals in the UK get weaponized by far-right figures like Tommy Robinson to push an anti-Muslim narrative? What role did Elon Musk play in amplifying this narrative by tweeting about &lsquo;Pakistani grooming gangs&rsquo;? And how does all of this align with Hindu nationalist rhetoric from India&rsquo;s Modi government? Ayesha Mir breaks it down in Dossier with Ayesha.

Dossier with Ayesha

Weaponization of scandals by far-right figures, Elon Musk’s role, and how all of it aligns with Hindu nationalist rhetoric.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan,"

Captured 19 Afghan posts in response to unprovoked cross-border aggression: Pak security sources