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President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday warned that Afghanistan under Taliban rule has fallen into conditions “similar or worse than before 9/11”, accusing neighboring countries, including India, of enabling terrorist groups following recent attacks in Islamabad and Balochistan.
The president thanked world leaders and international organizations for their solidarity with Pakistan following Friday’s attack on an imambargah in the federal capital that killed dozens of people, as well as coordinated attacks in several cities and towns in Balochistan.
In a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Zardari said terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil pose serious threats to regional and global peace, and urged collective international action to counter militancy and violent ideology.
“Pakistan firmly opposes the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar or worse than before 9/11, when terrorist organizations posed threats to world peace that ended in the tragedy of 9/11,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He said Pakistan had consistently maintained that terrorism could not be confronted by a single country in isolation, and emphasized that when terrorist groups were allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences fell on innocent civilians.
In this context, the president said certain neighboring countries had “unfortunately become partners in crime” by allowing terrorist elements to operate against Pakistan from their territory, while some provided direct financial support as well as technical and military assistance.
“This is a reality that has shaped regional developments in recent years,” he said. He also accused Pakistan’s eastern neighbor of aiding the Taliban regime and threatening not only Pakistan but also regional and global peace.
The President expressed his gratitude to world leaders, governments and international organizations for standing by Pakistan during this time of national grief. “Pakistan is humbled by the strong and sincere display of support and solidarity,” he said.
President Zardari noted that the messages of condolence had brought comfort to the people of Pakistan and strength to families mourning their loved ones. He said the international response reaffirmed that the fight against terrorism and the violent ideology that drives it was a shared global responsibility and a common struggle for all nations.
He reiterated Pakistan’s determination to continue working with international partners to achieve peace and stability and bring about a decisive end to terrorism in all its forms. It also underlined Islamabad’s long-standing position that Afghan territory has been repeatedly used by terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan, targeting both civilians and security personnel.
The attacks of September 11, 2001, carried out by Al Qaeda through coordinated airline hijackings, claimed nearly 3,000 lives and reshaped global security policies, a comparison Zardari invoked to highlight what he described as the growing dangers emanating from Afghanistan.
As investigations into the Islamabad attack continue, authorities say security has been beefed up in major cities, while intelligence agencies are pursuing leads related to cross-border facilitation.
Zardari said the solidarity shown by the international community had strengthened Pakistan’s resolve to confront terrorism, adding that the country remained deeply grateful for the compassion extended during this difficult time.
(WITH TICKETS FROM APP)
