ISLAMABAD, FEB 27 /DNA/: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have issued strong statements reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty, territory, and people in the wake of intensified cross-border confrontations with Afghan Taliban forces.
The remarks from the country’s top leadership come after the armed forces launched Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq after the Taliban regime’s unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
Security sources said Pakistan’s armed forces destroyed several key Afghan Taliban posts. Following Pakistan’s decisive action, Afghan Taliban reportedly raised white flags at multiple positions.
The sources added that security forces effectively targeted Afghan Taliban positions using artillery and quadcopters, significantly weakening their defensive capabilities.
Tarar said that the military carried out a coordinated and effective operation following cross-border hostilities. He said that the operation resulted in significant losses for the Afghan Taliban, as at least 133 Taliban were killed, and more than 200 were injured.
In his statement, PM Shehbaz said there would be no compromise on the country’s defence, and every act of aggression would be met with a firm and befitting response. He emphasised that the people and the Armed Forces of Pakistan remain fully prepared to protect the nation’s security and territorial integrity.
Highlighting the professional capabilities of the military, the Prime Minister noted that under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the armed forces are executing their duties with national spirit.
Equipped with advanced training and an effective defensive strategy, they are capable of addressing both internal and external threats, he said.
“Pakistan has consistently promoted peace, but our integrity will never be compromised,” Shehbaz Sharif added. “The armed forces will resolutely confront any aggression, and the entire nation stands behind them.”
President Zardari, in a social media message, echoed sentiments expressed by the premier, saying Pakistan will not compromise on peace or territorial integrity.
He warned that anyone who mistakes Pakistan’s pursuit of peace for weakness will face a strong, comprehensive, and decisive response, stressing that no one would be beyond the reach of the nation’s armed forces.
‘Open war’
Speaking on the matter, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “Our patience has run out […] no compromise will be made on national security”.
Asif noted that it had long been hoped that peace would follow Nato’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, expecting the Afghan Taliban to focus on the welfare of the Afghan citizens and regional stability.
Instead, the Taliban government turned Afghanistan into a “proxy of India,” providing a base for global terrorists, denying fundamental rights to the people, and stripping women of the rights Islam guarantees them, he stressed.
He highlighted Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic and direct efforts to stabilise the region, stressing that the country had been a consistent supporter of Afghan welfare, hosting over five million Afghan refugees for decades.
“Millions of Afghan citizens continue to earn their livelihoods in Pakistan today,” he added.
The minister said Pakistan’s patience had reached its limit. “Our forces are now delivering a decisive response,” he said.
“This is an open war, the army is not coming from across the sea. We are your neighbours and know your limits,” he added.
Aggression against civilians intolerable: Naqvi
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the Afghan Taliban’s attempt to target civilian populations, describing it as a “horrific miscalculation” that would carry serious consequences.
He said that the attack, carried out under the cover of night, was cowardly and unacceptable, but Pakistan’s armed forces delivered a firm and decisive response.
The minister praised the military’s professionalism, readiness, and vigilance in defending the country, emphasising that the nation stands firmly alongside its troops.
Naqvi warned that the Taliban’s aggression was intolerable, and Pakistan would not allow any threat to its security or civilians. He reiterated that attempts to harm innocent populations would not succeed, and the perpetrators would face severe repercussions.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that a major operation had been launched against the Afghan Taliban regime.
“Pakistan did for Afghanistan what they themselves did not do for themselves,” Chaudhry said, adding that talks were held with the Afghan Taliban leadership several times, but they had malicious intentions.
“Those who were involved in attacks in Pakistan were killed in the strikes,” he noted.
‘Patience not weakness’
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq paid tribute to the security forces for their prompt and effective response to the Afghan aggression.
Reiterating resolve for taking all possible steps to maintain regional stability, the NA speaker said that the neighbouring country had become a proxy for India and was destabilising regional peace.
“Afghanistan is carrying out terrorist acts against Pakistan on India’s behest,” said Sadiq while terming the attacks on Pakistani posts — along the border — in the night as extremely shameful and cowardly acts.
Noting that Islamabad had always shown patience and tolerance and tried to resolve issues via dialogue, he stressed that this approach should not be considered as weakness.
‘Pakistan will end war’
Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that Afghanistan started the war but Pakistan will end it.
“The US has to think that the weapons they left behind [there] are being used against Pakistan,” Kundi noted.
The governor further said that if the Afghan Taliban do not take action, Islamabad will do so.
“Afghanistan had to pay for its aggression before too,” Kundi remarked.
Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti also condemned unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban.
CM Bugti said that the country will defend its territorial integrity at all costs and safe havens for terrorists in the neighbouring country will not be tolerated.
