
(File Photo)
Pakistan has categorically rejected the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations by the Afghan Taliban regime regarding civilian casualties attributed to its counter-terrorism operations.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said disinformation and misleading narratives will neither obscure the threat posed by the terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory nor absolve the Afghan Taliban regime of its responsibility to prevent Afghan soil from being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan.
He said these attacks have resulted in more than 3500 casualties in 2026 alone.
The spokesperson said, as has been regularly reportedly by the relevant UN mechanisms, including the Monitoring Team, and which has been a cause of serious concern for the international community, the Taliban regime continues to shelter with impunity large number of terrorist organizations, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or Fitna al Khwarij, Balochistan Liberation Army or Fitna al Hindustan, and their affiliates, which continue to pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the region and beyond.
He said thousands of Pakistani civilians have been martyred because of terrorist attacks which have been planned, financed, supported and carried out from Afghan soil, all under the watch, patronage and active facilitation of the Afghan Taliban regime.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said no responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted.
He said any actions by Pakistan in response to such terrorist attacks have been undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defense, under principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort, and directed only and exclusively against terrorists and their logistical support bases in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan's response was proportionate to the level of threat, while strictly adhering to the principle of distinction and precaution.
Sajjad Haider Khan said the scale and scope of the action reflected restraint, particularly in light of the severity and frequency of terrorist attacks faced by Pakistan. Pakistan rejects any insinuations otherwise.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson urged the international community to hold the Taliban regime accountable for its failure to uphold its obligations under relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and other related commitments to prevent Afghan soil from being used as a launchpad for terrorism.
He said Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and security of Pakistani nationals.