Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a stern message to Kabul, stating that Afghanistan must decide whether it stands with Pakistan or the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This declaration comes amid already strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
Prime Minister’s Direct Warning
During a visit to Bannu, where he was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Omer Bukhari, Prime Minister Shehbaz said, “Today, I want to give a clear message to Afghanistan to choose between Pakistan and TTP.”
He highlighted that terrorists are entering Pakistan from Afghanistan and, in collaboration with the TTP, are carrying out attacks that have martyred soldiers and civilians. The Prime Minister stated that while Pakistan is willing to maintain relations with Afghanistan, if Kabul chooses to side with the terrorists, Pakistan will have no relationship with the interim Afghan government, and the terrorists will be eliminated at any cost.
He mentioned that he had met with the army chief and the Peshawar Corps Commander and that a plan would be presented to the federal cabinet. He stressed that all decisions would be made collectively in the country’s best interest. “The cabinet will decide and all the decisions taken in the cabinet meeting will be implemented immediately. We will not sit in peace until the militants are eliminated,” the Prime Minister warned. He added that decisive political and administrative action is the need of the hour and that the entire nation wants solid steps to restore security.
Terrorism and Bilateral Tensions
PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the officers and soldiers who were martyred while performing their duties, emphasizing that their sacrifices were for the country’s peace. He said, “Imagine what their parents, brothers and sisters are going through. These terrorists martyr them and take refuge in someone’s house,” adding that the time has come to eliminate the militants.
The issue of militants using Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan has long strained ties between the two countries. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the interim Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used for such attacks. The differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan are primarily centered on security and border disputes, with Pakistan citing a sharp rise in attacks by the TTP and other militant groups operating from Afghanistan.
Earlier this month, Pakistan emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by Afghanistan-based terrorist groups to regional peace and stability, calling it a common challenge that requires collaborative efforts. The Foreign Office spokesman had said in a media briefing, “Groups like Fitna al Khwarij represent a common threat to the peace and stability of our region, necessitating collective action to counter their malign influence.”
During a meeting in Peshawar in January, political leaders urged Field Marshal Asim Munir for military engagement with Afghanistan to address Pakistan’s internal security problems. However, the army chief stated that the Afghan interim rulers had failed to heed repeated warnings in the past. Sources quoted the Field Marshal as telling politicians, “They don’t listen to us.”
Earlier, during a visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in April, Afghan acting premier Mullah Hasan Akhund had assured that Afghanistan’s territory would not be used against its neighbors.
