Pakistan urges Kabul to prevent cross-border terrorism

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday urged Afghanistan’s interim government to prevent terrorists from using its soil. Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, terrorist attacks on civilians and security forces have surged in Pakistan. The country has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks.

In an interview, Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, said: “No country’s territory should be used for terrorism.”

The deputy prime minister emphasized Pakistan’s desire for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. He also stated that authorities were deporting illegal refugees from the country.

Earlier this week, Islamabad rejected Kabul’s request to extend the stay of Afghan nationals living illegally in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Authorities instructed these individuals last year to leave the country by February 28, 2025, allowing them only seven days to remain in the twin cities.

Sources revealed that security agencies have compiled lists of illegal Afghan residents, including details of their residences and locations. Afghan nationals with documents for travel to another country can stay in Pakistan until March 31 this year, but they must leave after this deadline.

In response to a question about Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the deputy prime minister emphasized the importance of fully implementing UN resolutions on the longstanding dispute. He reaffirmed support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Earlier this month, the military’s top leadership voiced serious concern over terrorists using Afghan soil against Pakistan and demanded the interim Afghan government take “concrete and tangible actions.”

During the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir chaired the meeting and expressed concern over the use of Afghan soil by terrorists against Pakistan, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“The forum stressed the imperative of concrete and tangible actions by interim Afghan government against Fitna Al Khawarij instead of denials as well as continuing with the strategy of undertaking all necessary measures in defense of Pakistan and its people,” the military’s media wing said.

According to the “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024” issued by the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies, 2024 was the deadliest year for Pakistan’s civil and military security forces in a decade, with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks.

The “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024”, cited by the News channels, reported that civilians and security personnel suffered 1,612 fatalities—over 63% of the total recorded this year. This figure marks a 73% increase compared to the 934 outlaws eliminated.

The previous year recorded the highest fatalities in nine years, exceeding 2023 figures by over 66%. On average, nearly seven people lost their lives daily, with November emerging as the deadliest month across all metrics.

Violence hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the hardest, causing 1,616 fatalities, while Balochistan followed with 782 deaths. In 2024, the country witnessed 2,546 violence-related fatalities and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws.

These casualties resulted from 1,166 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, making it a grim year for Pakistan’s security landscape.

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