Inside Afghanistan: Pakistan to continue operations against militants

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signalled a firm continuation of its cross-border counterterrorism operations against militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan while simultaneously reaffirming a calibrated and balanced diplomatic approach to the escalating situation involving Iran.

The development comes at a time when nationwide protests, heightened security measures, and regional tensions are placing Islamabad under both domestic and geopolitical pressure.

According to a senior Pakistani security official, Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq will continue until the Afghan Taliban government provides verifiable assurances that militant groups operating against Pakistan are no longer being facilitated from Afghan territory. “The Afghan Taliban must decide whether they stand with Pakistan or with terrorist groups using their soil,” the official stated, emphasizing that Pakistan is “in no hurry” to conclude operations.

The duration of the campaign, he explained, will depend on tangible actions taken on the ground by Afghan authorities. So far, more than 180 militant-linked posts have been destroyed and over 30 key locations, described as launch pads for attacks inside Pakistan, have been brought under control. The operations, he maintained, fall within the framework of self-defence, targeting only specific infrastructure used by groups involved in attacks on Pakistani civilians, mosques, and security personnel.

The official accused the Afghan Taliban government of providing space to multiple armed groups destabilizing the region and alleged that a “war economy” is being sustained under the cover of distorted religious narratives. However, he stressed that Pakistan’s actions are not directed at the Afghan people. “We have no dispute with the Afghan public. Our operations are against militant elements and their facilitators,” he said.

In a notable internal acknowledgment, the official pointed to governance gaps and incomplete implementation of the National Action Plan as factors that have necessitated greater military involvement in internal security. He called upon political stakeholders to strengthen civilian governance and ensure effective counterterrorism implementation, reiterating that the armed forces have no political ambitions.

Addressing the regional crisis involving Iran, the official emphasized that Pakistan is pursuing a balanced and independent policy. He stated that Iran has appreciated Pakistan’s response, and that major global actors such as China and Russia have also acknowledged Islamabad’s diplomatic stance.

At the same time, Pakistan has conveyed its concerns regarding any Iranian actions that could target brotherly Arab countries, reflecting Islamabad’s broader commitment to regional stability. The official dismissed speculation suggesting Pakistan could become a target amid rising tensions, calling such narratives “baseless and disconnected from ground realities.”

He underlined that Pakistan and Iran cannot be equated in terms of foreign policy orientation, internal dynamics, or military posture. Pakistan’s global partnerships, he said, are based on mutual respect and constructive engagement aimed at national stability and economic growth.

Reaffirming longstanding ties with Saudi Arabia, the official described the relationship as strategic and deeply valued. On the question of a potential International Stabilization Force (ISF), he clarified that no decision has yet been taken and that any participation would be subject to thorough governmental review.

The security situation across the country remains sensitive following protests triggered by developments in Iran. Authorities have acknowledged that peaceful protest is a constitutional right but warned that violence or attempts to create chaos will be dealt with strictly under the law.

Security deployments have been strengthened in major urban centres, particularly in Islamabad’s Red Zone and diplomatic areas. Officials stated that a small number of disruptive elements would not be allowed to exploit public sentiment to undermine law and order.

Pakistan’s current posture reflects a dual-track strategy: sustained military pressure on militant sanctuaries threatening internal security, combined with diplomatic balance amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions. The government appears determined to avoid external entanglement while preventing domestic unrest from spiralling into instability.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026