ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Friday warned the Afghan Taliban regime and allied militant groups that any further provocation would draw a “measured, decisive and befitting response” from Islamabad.
The statement followed Pakistan’s launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq after what officials described as unprovoked cross-border firing from Afghan territory overnight.
In its statement, the FO said Pakistan acted in response to repeated terrorist attacks carried out by Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan from Afghan soil, along with what it called the latest unwarranted and provocative actions by the Taliban regime. The state uses the term Fitna-al-Khawarij for militants linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna-al-Hindustan refers to terrorist groups such as BLA or BLF operating in Balochistan.
According to the FO, Pakistan’s armed forces conducted precise operations on the night of February 26, targeting terrorist hideouts and logistical support bases inside Afghanistan and inflicting heavy losses on militant networks.
The ministry asserted that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defence to protect its citizens and safeguard regional security. It stressed that the country would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the safety and welfare of its people.
The FO reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, stating that Islamabad had consistently pursued political and diplomatic channels to address terrorism originating from Afghan territory. However, it expressed regret that what it described as goodwill gestures and a responsible approach had been misinterpreted, leading to an increase in cross-border attacks allegedly backed by the Taliban regime and India.
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and urged the Afghan authorities to end what it called the impunity with which Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan operate.
Calling on the international community to play its role, the FO said global actors must send a clear message to the Taliban regime to honour its commitments and take concrete, verifiable action against militant groups.
The ministry concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s right to take appropriate measures in self-defence in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.