LAHORE/KARACHI:
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan’s recent provocations, reaffirming that Pakistan will defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity against all threats.
In their separate statements, the President and Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, emphasizing that mutual cooperation, economic partnership and security coordination remain essential for lasting stability and prosperity in South Asia.
President Zardari, in a statement issued by the media cell of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), noted that some United Nations reports showed that terrorist attacks had been carried out from Afghan soil. However, he also stressed that joint efforts to combat terrorism were the key to long-term regional peace.
Asserting that no compromise will be made on Pakistan’s sovereignty, Zardari said attacks launched from the Afghan Taliban regime are a well-documented reality and confirmed in successive reports of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
President Zardari urged the Afghan Taliban regime to take “concrete and verifiable measures” against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil. He called the threat of “Indian-sponsored” terrorism the “biggest threat to regional peace and stability”.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the Pakistan Army for its “effective and comprehensive” response to Afghan provocations and for successfully targeting the hideouts of terrorists operating across the border.
He lauded the professionalism of the armed forces in defending the country’s borders and paid tribute to the 23 members of the security forces who embraced martyrdom in counter-terrorism operations. “I am proud of the professional excellence of the Pakistan Armed Forces.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that any act of aggression would be met with a firm and effective response. He assured the families of the martyrs of the nation’s eternal gratitude and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
Shehbaz said Pakistan had repeatedly shared information with the Afghan Taliban regime regarding the presence of terrorist elements such as Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan using Afghan territory to carry out attacks.
He urged the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure that its territory is not used against Pakistan, warning that any attempt to undermine the country’s security would result in decisive action.
