Pakistan’s actions rooted in inherent right to defend people: President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan’s recent actions are rooted in its inherent right to defend its people against terrorism emanating from across its borders, and follow repeated warnings that went unheeded.

Referring to his statement of 8 February 2026, the President recalled that Pakistan had cautioned the international community that “when terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by innocent civilians all over the world.”

He had also stated that Pakistan takes strong exception to the situation in Afghanistan where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar to or worse than pre-9/11.

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President Zardari said in his statement on Sunday said that it is a matter of deep concern that the de facto authorities in Kabul, a regime not recognised by the United Nations, have continued to permit terrorist elements to operate from Afghan soil in violation of their commitments under the Doha Accord, wherein they pledged that Afghan territory would not be used against any country.

He noted that the most recent report of the United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has reinforced Pakistan’s long-standing position. The report states: “A wide range of Member States consistently report that ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaeda, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, and others are present in Afghanistan. Some groups have used or are continuing to use Afghanistan to plan and prepare external attacks.”

The President observed that this assessment by the United Nations makes clear that the presence and activities of these organisations pose serious threats to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan. He said it is regrettable that despite clear warnings and repeated engagement, the Afghan authorities failed to take credible and verifiable action against these elements.

He said Pakistan exercised restraint for a considerable period and confined its response to terrorist hideouts located near the border areas. However, he warned that Pakistan is fully aware of where the planners, facilitators and patrons of violence are based. If bloodshed continues inside Pakistan, those responsible will not remain beyond reach.

President Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks peace, stability and cooperative relations with all its neighbours.

He said that peace cannot rest on denial, duplicity or inaction against terrorism. The protection of Pakistani lives remains paramount and non-negotiable, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026