Islamabad,(The COW News Digital) Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said Pakistan will respond to every attempt to carry out terrorism in the country from Afghan soil, while urging Afghanistan’s interim government to move away from what he described as a “terrorism mindset.”
Speaking at the International Parliamentarians Congress in Islamabad, Tarar said Pakistan believed in peaceful coexistence and considered peace essential for economic development. However, he cautioned that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be interpreted as weakness.
The minister said Pakistan had hosted Afghan citizens for decades and maintained that a distinction should be made between the Afghan people and the Afghan government. He said the people of Afghanistan had the right to basic rights, economic opportunities and improved living conditions.
Tarar claimed that terrorist hideouts existed in Afghanistan and called on the Afghan interim government to address the presence of militant groups operating from its territory. He said Afghanistan could not achieve lasting peace or economic prosperity unless terrorism was treated as a serious problem.
The minister also linked security and development, saying that continued instability and a focus on militancy could have consequences for Afghanistan’s economic future. He argued that Afghan authorities needed to take steps to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against neighboring countries.
“Peace in Afghanistan is possible only when the Afghan interim government recognizes terrorism as a problem,” Tarar said, according to the statement issued about his remarks.
He also stressed the importance of education for Afghanistan’s long-term development, saying that no society could make sustainable progress without providing educational opportunities to its people.
Tarar said Pakistan had made efforts through diplomatic channels to promote peace and had sent delegations to Afghanistan as part of its engagement with the neighboring country. He said Islamabad had repeatedly communicated its concerns regarding militant activity allegedly originating from Afghan territory.
The minister’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups of operating from Afghan territory and has called on Kabul to take action against such groups. Afghan authorities have denied allegations that they allow their territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan.
Tensions also escalated earlier this month after Pakistan said drones had entered its territory from Afghanistan. Tarar said Pakistan’s air defence systems intercepted the drones and that Pakistani forces subsequently carried out strikes against locations in Afghanistan that Islamabad said were linked to drone operations.
Tarar reiterated that Pakistan would continue to defend its territory and citizens against attacks. He said Islamabad had responded to previous attacks allegedly originating from Afghanistan and would respond to any future attempts as well.
The minister maintained that Pakistan’s stated preference remained peace and dialogue, but emphasized that its security concerns could not be ignored.
