Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Pakistani army for its “strong and effective response to Afghan aggression” and “strongly condemned Afghan provocations along Pakistan’s border areas”, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“We are proud of the professionalism of our armed forces,” said the Prime Minister.
Under the “bold leadership” of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, he said, the Pakistani army not only responded decisively to Afghan provocations but also destroyed several Afghan posts, forcing the retreat.
The Prime Minister reiterated that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s defense and any act of aggression would be met with a decisive response. “Our defense is in capable hands and we know how to protect every inch of our homeland,” he said.
“The entire nation stands with the Pakistani security forces,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan had repeatedly informed Afghanistan about the presence of terrorist elements, including Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan. “Terrorist organizations are supported by certain elements in Afghanistan,” he noted.
He concluded by saying that Pakistan expected the Afghan interim government to ensure that its territory was not used by terrorist elements against Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Pakistan’s response and appropriate strikes target Taliban infrastructure and aim to neutralize terrorist elements of Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan operating from Afghan soil. »
Deeply concerned about the developing situation on the Pak-Afghan border. The unprovoked firing and raids along the Pak-Afghan border by the Taliban government constitute a serious provocation. Pakistan’s response and appropriate strikes target Taliban infrastructure and aim to neutralize Fitna-e-Khawarij…
–Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 12, 2025
Read: Pakistani army responds after night of Afghan fire on several fronts
Minister of State for Interior, Senator Talal Chaudhary, said operations against terrorists would continue as security and protection of the country is a red line. Addressing the media in Jaranwala, he said the state would not be blackmailed on the basis of any ideology or agenda.
Talal Chaudhary said the political changes would not change the state’s resolve to take action against militants.
The statements follow a night of heightened tensions and clashes along the Pakistan-Afghan border, sparked by Afghan fire from across the border.
According to security sources, on Saturday evening, Afghan forces opened fire without provocation at several points along the border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir and Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as well as Zhob district in Balochistan.
The firing, they said, was aimed at facilitating cross-border movement of ‘Khawarij’ and TTP operatives. The Pakistani army’s alert and vigilance posts reacted quickly and decisively, with exchanges of fire.
The Afghan Taliban government on Friday accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes on its territory and warned of “consequences”. Islamabad, for its part, said its patience with Kabul was running out, without confirming or denying the strikes.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, “took note” of the reports of the strikes. “To protect the lives of the people of Pakistan, we are doing and will continue to do whatever is necessary. Our demand to Afghanistan: your soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” he said.
Islamabad has long accused Kabul of failing to expel militants who use Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan, an allegation denied by Afghan authorities. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates are behind much of the recent violence in Pakistan, largely targeting security forces.
Earlier this year, a UN report said the TTP “receives substantial logistical and operational support from the de facto authorities,” referring to the Taliban government in Kabul.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told parliament on Thursday that several attempts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop supporting the TTP had failed.
“We will no longer tolerate this,” Mr. Asif said. “United, we must respond to those who facilitate them, whether the hiding places are on our soil or on Afghan soil. »
