ISLAMABAD (The COW News Digital) State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said Pakistan wants peace with Afghanistan but stressed that cross-border terrorism must be stopped to ensure lasting stability in the region.
Addressing a conference on the situation in Afghanistan organized by the International Parliamentarians Congress in Islamabad, Chaudhry said peace in Afghanistan and peace in Pakistan were closely interconnected.
He said Pakistan had consistently advocated for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, adding that the issue required more than academic discussion and demanded practical measures to address security challenges.
Chaudhry said Pakistan had been a victim of terrorism and alleged that militants based in Afghanistan were involved in attacks inside Pakistan. He stressed that Afghan territory should not be used against Pakistan or any other country.
The state minister further claimed that the United Nations and other international organizations had reported the presence of multiple terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan maintained humanitarian ties with the Afghan people but opposed elements operating from Afghanistan to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
According to Chaudhry, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is critically important for regional security. He said border security could not be treated as the responsibility of only one country and required cooperation to address security threats.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the growth of militant organizations and an increase in cross-border terrorism. Chaudhry noted that Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees for decades and said the country had continued to maintain humanitarian relations with the Afghan population.
The state minister said Pakistan believed that all segments of Afghan society should have representation in the country’s government. He added that Islamabad did not want permanent tensions with its neighbors and preferred peaceful relations.
“Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan,” Chaudhry said, emphasizing that stability in the neighboring country was directly linked to Pakistan’s own security.
His remarks come amid continued concerns in Pakistan over attacks allegedly originating from across the Afghan border. Islamabad has repeatedly called for stronger action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, while Afghan authorities have disputed or rejected allegations that Afghanistan is being used to facilitate attacks against Pakistan.
Chaudhry said Pakistan’s objective was not confrontation but regional peace and stability. He emphasized that preventing militant activity across borders was essential for improving relations between the two neighboring countries.
The conference provided a platform for discussion on Afghanistan’s political and security situation, with Pakistani officials reiterating that developments inside Afghanistan have direct implications for Pakistan.
Chaudhry maintained that cooperation on border management and counterterrorism would be central to improving regional security. He also reiterated Pakistan’s position that Afghan soil should not be used for activities against neighboring states.
The Pakistani government has continued to emphasize dialogue, regional cooperation and security measures while calling for steps to prevent militant groups from operating across the border.
For Islamabad, the security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains closely linked to broader efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
