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.
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