Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-border attacks pose a growing threat to regional security.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday (12 October) that attacks in Pakistan were being planned and launched from Afghan territory, with militants subsequently retreating to safe havens across the border.
“We can no longer ignore the continuing terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan,” Dar said, urging international partners to press the Taliban authorities to fulfil their counterterrorism commitments.
He warned that militant groups using Afghanistan as a base to attack Pakistan could also pose a threat to other countries.
Dar urged stronger international cooperation, arguing that Pakistan should not have to tackle a threat to regional security alone.
In a post on X on 12 October, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting accused the Afghan Taliban spokesperson of using “rhetoric and diversion” rather than confronting what Islamabad says is a documented terrorist threat.
The ministry cited the 16th report of the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team (S/2025/796), which estimated that around 6,000 fighters from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, were based in Afghanistan. The report also cited Taliban support for the group.
“These findings cannot credibly be dismissed as Pakistani propaganda. The regime must address this documented threat through concrete action rather than denial,” the ministry said.
Islamabad said it remained open to dialogue but demanded verifiable steps to dismantle militant sanctuaries and support networks.
The ministry added that Pakistan would take measures consistent with international law to protect its citizens and territorial integrity.
On 24 September, Pakistan said it had targeted 10 sites in Afghanistan’s Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces, claiming they were used to launch and store drones.
Afghan authorities said four civilians were killed in the strikes and accused Islamabad of violating the country’s sovereignty.
Diplomatic efforts also faced setbacks. The eighth Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan ended on 5 Octoberwithout a joint statement after Pakistani and Afghan delegates failed to agree on its wording.
The deadlock reflected continuing disagreements over militant activity allegedly originating in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s military response.
Kabul has repeatedly denied sheltering militants behind attacks in Pakistan and condemned Islamabad’s cross-border strikes as violations of Afghan sovereignty.
Pakistan, meanwhile, continues to demand verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-borde...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling t...
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airp...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airport, raising concerns over the kingdom's air defences and disrupting flights across the region.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign and ratify their peace agreement as soon as possible, calling it a crucial step towards securing his country's long-term stability.
Georgia is seeking to join the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transport route as part of efforts to boost trade and strengthen access to international markets. The country is also investing in transport infrastructure and deepening economic ties with Uzbekistan.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Kazakhstan’s competition regulator has issued a formal warning to ride-hailing platform inDrive after fares for some journeys reportedly nearly tripled as widespread Yandex outages disrupted taxi services across Central Asia on 11 October.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment