‘Fix terrorism or we will’: DG ISPR’s message to Afghan Taliban leaves no room for doubt
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has once again issued a stern warning to the Taliban government in Afghanistan, saying it will take self-defense measures if it fails to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
In an interview with Arab News, Pakistani army spokesman and DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Islamabad’s demand from Kabul is “strong and principled”: Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
The ISPR chief said Pakistan had no other fundamental demands from Afghanistan and suggested that resolving the issue could end the main source of tension between the two neighbours. He bluntly warned that if the issue was not resolved, Pakistan would “solve it the way it should be.”
An armed forces spokesman said Pakistan reserves the right to defend itself if the Taliban administration fails to fulfill its commitments under the Doha Accord, particularly those related to curbing terrorist activities from Afghan soil. He clarified that Pakistan’s conflict is not with Afghanistan or its people. Rather, he criticized what he described as an “uninvolved and unrepresentative” Taliban government, alleging that the militant outfit had support and sanctuary on Afghan soil.
One of the strongest claims in the interview was about the nationality of the suicide bombers. Lt Gen Chaudhry said that about 80 percent of the suicide bombers were Afghan nationals, adding that Afghans were among the terrorist organizations trying to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan.
DG ISPR also addressed militancy in Balochistan saying that the armed groups operating there do not have public support. He said that militants are trying to impose their ideology through force and violence instead of popular support.
According to him, keeping Balochistan economically and socially deprived serves the interests of militants. He argued that more development would provide more opportunities for indigenous people and help break what he described as a cycle of deprivation and vulnerability.
New Delhi also faced direct criticism during the DG ISPR interview. He accused India of sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan and alleged that social media campaigns were being run from outside the country to influence public opinion.
On the question of negotiations with militant outfits, Lt Gen Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s stated policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorists. He said the state would not negotiate with such groups and would instead counter them through security and military action.
Lieutenant General Sharif said that Pakistan’s leadership is in constant contact with Saudi Arabia. He described Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi security as unconditional, rooted in the historical, emotional and enduring ties between the two countries.
He said that Pakistan is ready to go to any extent to protect the Haram Sharif. He further said that Islamabad stands by its obligations under the Makkah Defense Agreement and the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia.
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