Pakistan urges Taliban to curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil

Pakistan has urged the Taliban authorities to honour their international obligations, lift restrictions on women and girls, and take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, warning that it would exercise its right to self-defence against threats to its citizens and national security.

Speaking at an interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, Counsellor Muhammad Jawad Ajmal expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in the country and called on the international community to share responsibility for supporting vulnerable Afghan refugees.

Ajmal said the denial of fundamental freedoms and basic dignity to women and girls reflected the Taliban’s continued retreat from their international commitments. He added that such practices were also inconsistent with Islamic laws, traditions and the fundamental principles of the Muslim faith.

He recalled that Pakistan hosted the 9th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad in July 2026, which adopted the Islamabad Declaration expressing concern over restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls.

Highlighting Pakistan’s humanitarian contribution, the counsellor said the country had hosted millions of Afghan refugees over several decades, often without adequate international support. While Pakistan continued to facilitate vulnerable Afghans within its available capacity, he stressed that the international community must step up efforts and share the responsibility.

On security, Ajmal said terrorism remained at the heart of Afghanistan’s challenges and expressed serious concern over the presence and activities of groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Majeed Brigade, Al-Qaeda, ISIL-K and ETIM, along with their affiliates.

He also alleged links between the Taliban and these groups, as well as support from external actors for proxy elements targeting Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

The Taliban’s failure to publicly denounce these groups raised serious questions about their complicity and support, he said.

Ajmal stated that more than 4,700 Pakistanis had been killed in terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan over the past three years alone.

Referring to Pakistan’s actions on March 16, he said the country had precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including drone and ammunition storage facilities allegedly used by the TTP to attack Pakistani civilians.

He said Pakistan could not remain passive in the face of continued terrorist attacks and would exercise its right to self-defence, whenever necessary and in accordance with international law, against threats to its citizens and national security.

Ajmal called on the Taliban authorities to fulfil their international commitments and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan living in harmony with its neighbours.