ISLAMABAD (Digital Post) Afghanistan – A Hub of Global Terrorism

ISLAMABAD (Digital Post) For many years, Pakistan’s political and military leadership has been consistently warning the international community that the Afghan interim government has become a sanctuary for terrorists, and that its support for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is causing terrorism inside Pakistan. The terrorists sheltered in Afghanistan easily cross the border into Pakistani territory—with the assistance of the Afghan interim government—carry out terrorist attacks, and then return to Afghan safe havens.

Terrorism is a global threat, and every region is currently grappling with this danger. The challenges faced by each region or country may differ, but the objectives behind this violent campaign are crystal clear. The terrorist incidents in Pakistan aim to undermine the country’s development and create mistrust between Pakistan and its friendly nations.

During the war against terrorism, Pakistan’s economy suffered losses of billions of dollars. Hundreds of our army officers and soldiers, police officers and constables, FC personnel, and innocent civilians were martyred. Despite Pakistan enduring these wounds for the sake of others, those very beneficiaries are now bent on harming Pakistan.

India is behind TTP’s entire network, especially its financial system. The Afghan government is not only providing TTP with financial assistance but also training and manpower. Pakistan has defended Afghanistan’s case at every international forum, and millions of Afghan nationals still reside in Pakistan. Yet, every Afghan government has opposed Pakistan, and terrorists operating from Afghanistan have repeatedly attacked Pakistan with full backing from Afghan authorities.

The existence of safe havens for TTP and other groups in the neighboring country, their freedom to operate, and the terrorists’ access to sophisticated weapons are among the major reasons affecting Pakistan’s security, sovereignty, and law-and-order situation. Despite the Afghan interim government’s ongoing irresponsible behavior, its policy of promoting terrorism, and repeated hostile acts, Pakistan has continuously attempted to resolve matters through dialogue—but with no results.

Instead of taking Pakistan’s legitimate demands seriously in light of the continued terrorist attacks, the Afghan government responds mockingly. The repeated acts of aggression from Afghanistan have made it clear that the Taliban government stands with terrorists against Pakistan and is directly responsible for every act of terrorism.

The Afghan interim government’s patronage and facilitation of terrorists pose severe dangers to Pakistan and other regional countries. Current circumstances require regional states and the international community to properly assess the growing threats emanating from Afghanistan and take necessary steps to counter them. Holding the Taliban interim government accountable is essential.

If Afghanistan becomes a sanctuary for global terrorism, the consequences will affect not only regional security but also the economic prospects tied to the development dreams of dozens of countries. Afghanistan’s behavior shows that it has learned nothing from two decades of foreign occupation and destruction and is still willing to let its soil be used as a haven for terrorism.

In these conditions, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its sovereignty and defense, and the entire nation unanimously believes that national security cannot be compromised. Terrorism can only be eradicated through a comprehensive defense strategy and strong national unity. If we remain internally strong, no external enemy will dare to conspire or commit aggression against us.

Undoubtedly, there is no substitute for peace. However, under the current circumstances, Pakistan–Afghanistan relations cannot return to normal unless Afghanistan takes serious steps toward eliminating terrorism from its soil. Afghanistan must understand that terrorists are loyal to no ideology—they serve only their interests and can change their targets at any time. If Pakistan is their target today, Afghanistan could face the same threat tomorrow.

The wiser course for the Afghan Taliban government is to focus on eliminating terrorists instead of nurturing them and to strengthen relations with Pakistan, an experienced and proven neighbor—because friends may change, but neighbors are permanent. Regional countries must also adopt a joint strategy, because the emerging threats are equally dangerous for the entire region, not just one country.