ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has rejected what it described as baseless allegations by the Afghan Taliban government regarding civilian casualties during counterterrorism operations, asserting that it has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory.
In a statement, a Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan categorically rejected the “baseless and unverified” allegations concerning civilian casualties during counterterrorism operations.
Misinformation Cannot Conceal Terrorist Threat, Says Foreign Office
The spokesperson said misinformation and misleading narratives could neither conceal the threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil nor absolve the Afghan Taliban government of its responsibility to prevent the use of its territory for planning and carrying out attacks against Pakistan.
According to the statement, more than 3,500 casualties have resulted from these attacks in 2026 alone. The Foreign Office said reports repeatedly issued by relevant United Nations bodies and monitoring teams indicated that the Afghan Taliban government continued to provide protection to several terrorist organisations, allowing them to operate freely.
These organisations include the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Fitna al-Khawarij, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Fitna al-Hindustan and their affiliated groups. The statement said these organisations posed a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Pakistan Accuses Kabul of Patronage and Active Support
The Foreign Office further said that a large number of Pakistani citizens had been martyred in terrorist attacks planned, financed, sponsored and carried out from Afghan territory. It alleged that these activities had taken place under the supervision, patronage and active support of the Afghan Taliban government.
The spokesperson said no responsible state could remain a silent spectator when its citizens and security forces were repeatedly targeted.
According to the statement, Pakistan’s actions in response to such terrorist attacks had been undertaken as a last resort, in accordance with the principles of necessity and under its inherent right to self-defence. The operations, it said, were directed exclusively against terrorists based in Afghanistan and their logistical support centres.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s response had remained proportionate to the severity of the threat, while the principles of distinction and precaution had been strictly observed during the operations.
It added that the scale and scope of the actions had been determined by the intensity and continuously increasing frequency of terrorist attacks confronting Pakistan.
Call for International Accountability
The Foreign Office urged the international community to hold the Afghan Taliban government accountable for failing to fulfil its obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and other applicable commitments. It called on the global community to ensure that Afghan territory was not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Pakistan reiterated that it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and security of its citizens.
Pakistan Condemns Houthi Missile Attacks on Saudi Arabia
In a separate statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson strongly condemned the Houthi ballistic missile attacks on October 24 targeting the Makkah and Madinah regions of Saudi Arabia, including areas surrounding the holy sites.
The spokesperson said the attacks constituted a grave violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and demonstrated blatant disregard for the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites and the safety of civilians.
The statement said Pakistan reiterated its unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its firm commitment to the Makkah Alliance.
Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for the Kingdom’s security against any external aggression or threat, reiterating its commitment to protecting the country and its holy sites.
