Islamabad (TDI): British Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer has said that Islamabad has the right under international law to defend itself against attacks originating from Afghanistan, while also urging continued dialogue to maintain regional stability.
Falconer made the remarks during a visit to Islamabad, where he held meetings with senior Pakistani officials to discuss security and regional developments.
He said that any country facing cross-border threats is entitled to protect its citizens within the limits of international law. His comments come at a time of heightened tensions, with Pakistan linking recent security incidents to militant activity based across the Afghan border.
In an interview with Dawn, Falconer expressed condolences over recent casualties in Pakistan and described the evolving security situation as deeply worrying. He stressed that civilian harm must be avoided on all sides, saying that instability in one country inevitably affects its neighbours.
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The British official said discussions in Islamabad, including talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, covered a broad range of regional issues. These included security developments in Afghanistan, recent ceasefire-related diplomacy involving Iran, and efforts to keep key international trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, stable and functional.
Falconer emphasized that security challenges linked to Afghanistan extend beyond its borders and require coordinated regional responses. He acknowledged Pakistan’s concerns, noting that British officials remain in close contact with Islamabad to better understand the situation on the ground.
“It is clear from our discussions that Pakistan believes some threats originate from across the border,” he said, calling the issue serious and deserving of careful evaluation and cooperation.
While avoiding disclosure of private diplomatic exchanges, Falconer reiterated that escalation must be prevented and that engagement between Islamabad and Kabul remains essential. He said dialogue is the most effective path forward and stressed the need for both sides to ensure their territories are not used to target each other.
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He also highlighted the long-standing relationship between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, describing it as a close partnership strengthened by deep community ties and shared interests.
On the issue of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he noted the importance of respecting international legal standards while recognizing the practical difficulties involved, adding that the matter should ultimately be addressed through cooperation between the relevant regional actors.
Falconer concluded that his visit had helped reinforce mutual understanding and cooperation on key regional challenges, expressing hope for continued diplomatic engagement in the future.
