President, PM condemn Afghan aggression, vow to defend sovereignty

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan’s recent acts of aggression, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security.

Pakistan’s forces exercised their right to self-defence after repelling an unprovoked attack by Afghan Taliban fighters and allied terrorists along the border, the ISPR said on Sunday. It said Taliban and “Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij” launched coordinated raids overnight, which were met with a decisive response.

According to the ISPR, Pakistan inflicted heavy losses through precision strikes on Taliban camps, posts, and terrorist networks inside Afghan territory, including elements linked to ISKP/Daesh. The military reaffirmed that any aggression against Pakistan’s sovereignty will be met with a firm response.

In a statement, President Zardari said Pakistan would never accept any “controversial or misleading stance” on Jammu and Kashmir, noting that India’s claims over the disputed territory are illegal and in violation of international law and UN resolutions.

He expressed regret that the Afghan leadership had “turned away from the oppressed people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” calling it an injustice to both history and the Muslim Ummah.

The president highlighted that Afghan soil has been used to launch attacks by militant groups, including the so-called “Fitna-al-Khawarij,” a fact documented in UN reports. He warned that the nexus between these groups and India was targeting Pakistani civilians and security personnel.

Army responds strongly to Afghan border aggression

President Zardari urged Kabul to take concrete measures against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from its territory, emphasizing that combating terrorism is a shared regional responsibility.

He added that Pakistan would make no compromise on its sovereignty and had consistently extended all possible facilitation to Afghanistan in trade, economy, and connectivity.

“Mutual cooperation and economic partnership are key to lasting peace and prosperity in the region,” he said, stressing that Pakistan seeks a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the cross-border aggression, saying Pakistan’s armed forces are fully capable of defending every inch of the country. He noted that Islamabad has always acted with restraint but will respond decisively to any violation of its sovereignty.

The prime minister lauded the Pakistan Army’s swift and professional response under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying the forces not only repelled the aggression but also neutralized several enemy positions, forcing a retreat.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s defense is in strong hands and the nation stands united with its security forces against any provocation.

Dar urges Afghanistan to act against terrorists Pakistan expects the Taliban government in Afghanistan to take concrete steps against terrorist elements operating on Afghan soil, especially those it accuses of trying to destabilize Pakistan–Afghanistan relations.

Dar, in a post on X, expressed “deep concern” over what Islamabad describes as unprovoked firing and raids by Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghan border, and stated that Pakistani responses — including strikes on Taliban infrastructure — are intended to neutralize groups such as Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan.

He emphasized that Pakistan acts in self-defense and takes great care to avoid harming civilians, in contrast to what he called Taliban tactics. Naqvi condemns ‘unprovoked firing from Afghan side

In a strong statement, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned what he called “unprovoked firing by Afghan forces” into Pakistani territory, labeling it a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to regional stability.

He reiterated that while Pakistan has historically exercised restraint, it would not compromise on sovereignty or the security of its citizens.

Reaffirming national unity in the face of external aggression, Naqvi declared that the people of Pakistan stand firmly behind their armed forces as they remain on high alert and fully prepared to respond decisively to any further provocation.