Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has voiced strong concern over recent unwarranted aggression by the Afghan Taliban and allied militant factions, expressing hope that Afghanistan’s people would eventually be governed by a “true representative government.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Foreign Office said Pakistan “deeply regrets the unwarranted aggression” launched by the Taliban, Fitna al-Khawarij, and Fitna al-Hindustan along the Pak-Afghan frontier during the night of October 11–12, calling the incident a serious breach of neighbourly principles.
“We also hope that one day the Afghan people will be emancipated and governed by a true representative government,” the statement read. “Such hostile actions belie the spirit of peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation.”
The Foreign Office said Pakistan had exercised its right to self-defense, successfully repelling the assaults and inflicting “substantial losses” on the Taliban and their affiliates, in manpower, equipment, and infrastructure used to orchestrate cross-border attacks.
It added that the Pakistani forces took all possible precautions to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage during the operations. Pakistan reaffirmed its preference for dialogue and diplomatic engagement but warned that any further provocations “will be met with a firm and resolute response.”
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Islamabad also dismissed comments made by the Afghan interim foreign minister during his visit to India, calling them an attempt to deflect attention from the presence and activities of terrorist groups operating inside Afghanistan.
“The Taliban regime cannot absolve itself of responsibility for regional peace and stability,” the statement said, pointing to findings by the UN Monitoring Team documenting the operations of such groups.
Pakistan reiterated its long-standing concern about the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan elements on Afghan soil, urging Kabul to take “concrete and verifiable” action against them.
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Highlighting its decades-long support for the Afghan people, Pakistan noted that it had hosted nearly four million Afghans over the past forty years. However, it said their stay would now be regulated “in line with international practices and national laws.”
Reiterating its broader stance, Islamabad said it sought a “peaceful, regionally connected, and prosperous Afghanistan” and urged the Taliban to act responsibly and fulfil its commitments to eliminate terrorism.
