A senior Pakistani security official has said that “Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq” will continue until the Afghan Taliban government provides verifiable assurances to Pakistan that it will stop facilitating Fitna al-Khwarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

Talking to media, he said the Afghan Taliban will have to decide whether they stand with Pakistan or with the terrorist groups operating from their soil.

He said the duration of Pakistan’s operations would depend entirely on the Afghan Taliban government’s actions on the ground. He said Pakistan is in no hurry to conclude the operation.

The official said Afghan Taliban government is patronizing several terrorist groups as proxy master, which are sabotaging regional peace.

He said Afghan Taliban government is promoting a war economy under the guise of a distorted religious ideology, whose real motive is vested interests and financial gains.

He said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is continuously releasing details regarding the progress of “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq”, which are completely transparent.

According to the senior security official, Pakistan is targeting terrorist safe havens and their facilitators in Afghanistan, describing them as legitimate targets falling under the category of self-defense in the context of the war on terror imposed on Pakistani citizens, mosques and innocent children.

He stressed that Pakistan is not targeting indiscriminate sites but only specific infrastructure and installations being used to support terrorist groups.

He said Pakistan’s actions against terrorists in Afghanistan have received a positive response from oppressed Afghan communities and minorities.

He clarified that Pakistan has nothing to do with any change of government in Afghanistan, calling it an internal choice of the Afghan people. He stated that Afghans know that effective action has been taken against oppressive elements.

Providing operational details, the senior security official said so far more than one hundred and eighty check posts have been destroyed and more than thirty key locations have been taken under control which were being used as launch pads by terrorists.

Talking about situation in Iran, the senior security official said Pakistan is following a balanced policy towards Iran.  He said Iran has appreciated Pakistan’s response, which has also been supported by China and Russia.

He said Pakistan has clearly expressed its reservations over Iran’s targeting of brotherly Arab countries and reiterated that Pakistan wants a stable and peaceful Iran.

The senior security official strongly dispelled the impression that Pakistan could be the next target, terming it baseless and contrary to ground reality.

The official said Pakistan and Iran cannot be considered identical in terms of military capability, foreign policy and internal conditions.

He emphasized that Pakistan is committed to a strong foreign policy and attaches importance to having relations with a variety of global partners, based on mutual respect and trust for the stability and prosperity of its people.

He said Pakistan is fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing the recent Marka e Haq and the long war against terrorism as evidence.

The senior security official said Pakistan’s Armed Forces, with the support of the nation, will thwart every nefarious plot of the enemy.

The official strongly condemned the misunderstandings and propaganda spread by elements who are creating chaos.  He stressed that Pakistan highly values its decades-long brotherly and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia.

Regarding the proposed International Stabilization Force, he said details are yet to be finalized and that a decision on Pakistan’s participation will be taken by the Government of Pakistan after thorough consultations.