No Peace With Afghanistan While Militants Operate From Its Soil, Says Pak PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has declared that “terrorist activities” threatening Pakistan’s security continue to emanate from Afghan soil.

Speaking at a military graduation ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday, Sharif stated that peaceful coexistence would not be possible as long as insurgents and extremists use Afghanistan as a base to operate against Pakistan.

Sharif emphasised that Pakistan had taken serious measures on several occasions and had attempted to engage with the Taliban leadership regarding the issue.

He added that Pakistan had conveyed a clear and firm message to the Taliban authorities in Kabul, stressing that while Pakistan desired peaceful relations and good neighbourliness with Afghanistan, achieving this objective would not be possible while militants continued to launch attacks from Afghan territory.

The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to countering security threats and safeguarding its territorial integrity. He stressed that Islamabad has consistently sought peace and stability in the region but would not allow threats to persist from the territory of neighbouring countries.

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have escalated sharply in recent months amid a surge in security incidents within Pakistan.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban of providing shelter to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants inside Afghanistan, from where they allegedly launch attacks into Pakistani territory.

The Taliban have strongly rejected these accusations, calling them “baseless.” Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has insisted that Afghanistan does not allow its soil to be used against other countries, and asserted that Pakistan’s internal security is its own responsibility.