Javed Iqbal
A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by the Defence Minister, is visiting Doha for talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban. The discussions will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and to restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border. The delegation will emphasise that Pakistan does not seek escalation but expects the Afghan Taliban to honour their commitments to the international community and to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking concrete action against terrorist entities, including the FAK, TTP, FAH, and BLA.
The Interim Afghan Taliban government’s strategy of harbouring terrorists, its continued denial of Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach, and the regional community’s concern over the inaction against the TTP in violation of the Doha Accord have collectively resulted in Pakistan’s recent strikes on terrorist camps inside Afghanistan. These strikes are rightly described as the outcome of years of cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil – the brunt of which has been borne by Pakistan.
Since 2021, Pakistan has taken a series of measures that clearly reflect its sincere desire for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. In pursuit of dialogue, Pakistan has engaged through religious, tribal, and official channels. In July 2022, an eight-member Ulema delegation led by Mufti Taqi Usmani visited Kabul to convince both the Taliban and the TTP to stop attacks inside Pakistan. As a follow-up, a 17-member tribal jirga travelled to Kabul with the same message of peace and restraint. To further these efforts, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and the then DG ISI visited Kabul in February 2023 to discuss cooperation on security and border management. In July 2024, the Interior Minister led another official delegation focused on improving coordination for counterterrorism and border control. Most recently, in July 2025, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Kabul with the same message of strengthening bilateral ties, trade, and peaceful coexistence.
In every interaction with Afghan authorities, Islamabad shared the exact coordinates of terror bases with Kabul. However, instead of dismantling them, the IAG allowed them to expand under GDI supervision. It was repeatedly highlighted that over 60 terrorist camps belonging to Fitna al Khawarij (FAK) are operating across Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktiya, Khost, and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan, serving as trans-frontier hubs for infiltration into Pakistan’s KP region. Unfortunately, these efforts were met with an increase in terrorism. Since June 2025, Pakistani security agencies have documented a 48% rise in cross-border infiltration from Afghan provinces into KP, indicating a sustained surge in cross-border terrorism. The 36th UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team Report (July 2025) confirms that Afghan authorities continue to provide a permissive environment for terrorist groups, including Al-Qaida and TTP, posing a direct threat to regional security. The report further reveals that six Afghan provinces-Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, Kunar, Uruzgan, and Zabul-host Al-Qaida fighters and training camps that remain active under Taliban oversight and protection. Three new training sites have been established in Afghanistan where Al-Qaida and TTP fighters are jointly trained, confirming operational linkages between the two networks.
Despite Pakistan repeatedly sharing verified evidence of these TTP and BLA sanctuaries, Kabul’s continued inaction exposes its complicity and disregard for regional stability. Instead of restraining terrorists, TTP infiltration teams now increasingly include Afghan nationals, proving that Afghan soil is being used for open aggression. In various terrorist incidents across Pakistan, over 207 Afghan nationals-identified by name and address-have been killed by Pakistani security forces. Clearly, the Afghan Taliban’s definition of “not allowing Afghan soil to be used against others” excludes the export of fully documented militants to Pakistan.
Pakistan has always preferred dialogue and diplomacy and remains committed to a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan. However, the protection of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the lives of its people will always take precedence. Pakistan’s message is clear: any future provocations will invite a firm and proportionate response. It is pertinent to mention that the Afghan Interim Foreign Minister’s remarks in India may bring temporary advantages, but Kabul must remember that India has consistently exploited Afghanistan for its interests and abandoned it once those interests were served. The Afghan Taliban’s claim that terrorism is Pakistan’s internal issue is delusional and aims to distract from the continued presence and open operations of TTP and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, as confirmed by UN Monitoring Team reports.
The fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility. The Afghan Taliban must abandon its policy of denial, honour its commitment to prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorism against any state, and recognise that Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty or the safety and security of its citizens. In response to terrorist attacks, Pakistan conducted precision strikes in Paktika targeting verified Khawarij hideouts responsible for these attacks. No civilians or cricketers were harmed.
The writer is a freelance columnist and contributes regularly on issues concerning national security.
