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President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan’s recent actions are based on its inherent right to defend its people against terrorism emanating from across the border and respond to repeated warnings that went unheeded.
Referring to his statement of February 8, 2026, the President recalled that he had stated that Pakistan strongly opposes the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar or worse than those that prevailed before 9/11.
He added that Pakistan had warned the international community that “when terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences fall on innocent civilians around the world.”
It is a matter of deep concern that the de facto authorities in Kabul – a regime not recognized by the United Nations – have continued to allow terrorist elements to operate from Afghan soil in violation of their commitments under the Doha Agreement, in which they promised that Afghan territory would not be used against any country, he said.
The president noted that the latest report by the United Nations Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has reinforced Pakistan’s long-standing position.
The report states: “ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, East Turkestan Islamic Movement also known as Turkestan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan and others are consistently reported by a wide range of Member States to be present in Afghanistan. Some groups have used or continue to use Afghanistan to plan and prepare external attacks.”
The President observed that this United Nations assessment makes it clear that the presence and activities of these organizations pose serious threats to neighboring countries, including Pakistan. “It is regrettable that, despite clear warnings and repeated commitment, the Afghan authorities have failed to take credible and verifiable action against these elements.”
He said Pakistan exercised restraint for a considerable period and limited its response to terrorist hideouts located near border areas. However, he warned that Pakistan is fully aware of where the planners, facilitators and sponsors of the violence are located. If the bloodshed continues inside Pakistan, those responsible will not be out of reach.
President Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks peace, stability and cooperative relations with all its neighbors. He said peace cannot be based on denial, duplicity or inaction against terrorism. “The protection of Pakistani lives remains paramount and non-negotiable,” he added.
