Pakistan urges Kabul to dismantle TTP sanctuaries, end cross-border attacks
Dar, Tarar say Afghan soil must not be used against Pakistan
Islamabad: 
Pakistan has urged Afghanistan’s interim authorities to take concrete action against militant sanctuaries. It has called for preventing the use of Afghan territory for attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad warned that lasting regional peace remains elusive while armed groups operate across the border.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s position at an international conference in Islamabad on Monday. The event was titled “Pakistan’s Evolving Counter-Terrorism Landscape: TTP, Cross-Border Threats and Regional Security”.
Pakistan’s peace efforts and security concerns
Tarar said Pakistan wanted peace and prosperity across the region, particularly in Afghanistan. However, he said Islamabad’s efforts to persuade the Afghan interim government had not produced the desired results.
He said Pakistan had hosted more than four million Afghan refugees over four decades. The country had borne a heavy cost despite its hospitality and generosity.
“Our generosity never paid in kindness, yet we paid a heavy cost,” he said. He linked Pakistan’s security challenges to militant activity originating from Afghan territory.
Citing United Nations and independent assessments, Tarar said Afghanistan hosted more than 6,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. He put the overall estimated militant presence there at more than 20,000.
TTP sanctuaries and cross-border attacks
Tarar said the TTP had continued to exploit Afghan territory since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. He said the group used it for recruitment, training, facilitation, planning and attacks against Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must not be construed for its weakness,” Tarar said. He added that Islamabad had responded to attacks originating from militant sanctuaries.
Referring to a United Nations monitoring report, he said nearly 2,000 TTP militants and their families had been relocated from border areas to locations deeper inside Afghanistan.
“If Afghanistan continues to provide safe havens to these terrorists, how can peace be achieved?” he asked.
Tarar praised the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their resolve against terrorism. He said Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership remained united in efforts to eliminate militancy.
Pakistan’s sacrifices and counterterrorism measures
Dar said terrorism was not merely a policy issue for Pakistan. It was a continuing story of sacrifice and courage.
He said more than 90,000 people had lost their lives in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. The country had also suffered substantial economic and reputational losses.
Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had renewed the national counterterrorism policy. Civilian and military leaders had agreed on measures to strengthen intelligence and coordinate action against militant groups.
He stressed that the national effort required unity, determination and sustained action against terrorists.
Kabul urged to honour commitments
Dar said he had visited Afghanistan three times during the previous year. Pakistan had made sincere efforts to improve relations and promote regional connectivity, he added.
He said Islamabad wanted a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Pakistan had sought assurances that Afghan territory would not be used for attacks against it.
Dar described the presence of the TTP and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan as a serious concern for Pakistan and the wider region. He said Pakistan had invested heavily in border fencing, but physical barriers could not replace effective action against militant groups.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate regional trade and humanitarian assistance. Islamabad had allowed 1,000 containers of humanitarian aid to cross the border, he said.
Dar urged Afghanistan’s interim authorities to honour their commitments and take concrete measures against militant networks.
Both ministers reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence. They said the country would continue efforts to protect its people from terrorism and promote regional peace.
