Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected what it described as baseless and unsubstantiated allegations by the Afghan Taliban regime regarding civilian casualties caused by Pakistani counter-terrorism operations, reaffirming its right to defend its territory and population against terrorist attacks.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said disinformation would not obscure the threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory or absolve the Taliban authorities of their responsibility to prevent attacks against Pakistan from being planned and launched from Afghanistan.
“These attacks have resulted in more than 3,500 casualties in 2026 alone,” the ministry said, without providing a breakdown of the figures in the statement.
The latest exchange comes amid continuing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border militancy and allegations concerning the activities of armed groups based in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office said thousands of Pakistani civilians had been killed in attacks that Islamabad maintains were planned, financed, supported and carried out from Afghan territory, adding the Afghan Taliban regime was allowing such activities to continue.
It further said that the Taliban authorities continued to shelter several militant organizations, including those Pakistan refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, along with their affiliates. Islamabad considers these groups a serious threat to Pakistan’s security and regional stability.
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The ministry stressed that no state could remain passive while its civilians and security personnel were repeatedly targeted.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s actions in response to terrorist attacks were undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defense, as a last resort and in accordance with the principles of necessity and proportionality.
According to the statement, the operations were directed exclusively against terrorist targets and their logistical support bases in Afghanistan.
The ministry said Pakistan’s response had been proportionate to the threat and had adhered to the principles of distinction and precaution, adding that the scale and scope of the action reflected restraint despite the frequency and severity of attacks against Pakistan.
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Islamabad also called on the international community to hold the Afghan Taliban authorities accountable for meeting their obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and other commitments to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorist activities.
“Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and security of Pakistani nationals,” the statement added.
