KABUL – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for enhanced ties with Afghanistan while urging the Afghan interim government to take immediate action against militants operating from its territory. Addressing a Cabinet meeting, Sharif stressed that Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with its neighbor but highlighted the need for decisive steps to eliminate terrorist hideouts, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“We have conveyed to the Afghan government that we desire good ties with them, but TTP should be stopped from killing our innocent people. This is a red line,” Sharif said in a televised statement aired by state-run Pakistan Television. He emphasized that dialogue cannot continue alongside militant attacks, expressing concern over the increasing frequency of TTP assaults within Pakistan.
Sharif’s remarks followed airstrikes by Pakistani forces inside Afghanistan, confirmed by the Foreign Ministry on Thursday. According to Islamabad, the strikes targeted terrorists, but the Taliban administration in Kabul alleged they caused civilian casualties, including women and children, in the Barmal district of Paktika province. Taliban officials claimed the bombing killed 46 people and injured six, vowing that the “cowardly act” would not go unanswered. Islamabad, however, rejected accusations of targeting civilians.
This marks the second instance of cross-border action by Pakistan this year, highlighting growing tensions between the two nations. Pakistani authorities have consistently called on Afghanistan to address the presence of TTP militants, accusing them of launching attacks from Afghan territory. Kabul has denied these allegations.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military reported significant losses during counter-terrorism operations this year. According to Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, 383 security personnel were killed during 59,779 intelligence-based operations, which resulted in the elimination of 925 terrorists, including 73 high-profile militants. Chaudhry stated that the roots of these militant networks often trace back to Afghanistan, reiterating the demand for action against the TTP and other groups.
The situation underscores the strained relations between the two neighboring countries and the ongoing challenges in curbing militancy in the region.