Zardari voiced alarm over Kabul’s unrecognized authorities, warning that Afghan soil remains a haven for terrorist groups despite international scrutiny
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan’s tolerance for cross-border terrorism has reached its limit. In a statement on Sunday, he said Pakistan’s recent actions are grounded in its inherent right to defend its people against attacks originating from across its borders. He noted these measures followed repeated warnings that went unheeded.
Zardari expressed concern that the de facto authorities in Kabul, a regime not recognized by the United Nations, have continued to allow terrorist groups to operate from Afghan soil. He said this violates their commitments under the Doha Accord, in which they pledged that Afghan territory would not be used against any country.
Referring to his statement of 8 February, the President recalled that Pakistan had cautioned the international community: “When terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by innocent civilians all over the world.” He added that conditions under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan remain similar to—or worse than—those before 9/11.
Zardari highlighted the most recent report of the United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which supports Pakistan’s long-standing position. The report noted that groups including ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, and Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan continue to operate from Afghanistan. Some of these groups have used the country to plan external attacks.
He said the UN assessment confirms these organizations pose serious threats to neighboring countries, including Pakistan. He regretted that, despite clear warnings and repeated engagement, Afghan authorities have not taken credible or verifiable action.
Zardari said Pakistan had exercised restraint for a considerable period, limiting its response to terrorist hideouts near the border. But he warned that Pakistan is aware of where the planners and patrons of violence are based. “If bloodshed continues inside Pakistan, those responsible will not remain beyond reach,” he said.
#AsifAliZardari #CrossBorderTerrorism #PakistanSecurity #AfghanistanSituation #WarOnTerror #UNReport #TTP #ISIS_K #AlQaeda #NationalDefense #DohaAccord #RegionalStability #PakistanPolicy #CounterTerrorism #IslamabadNews
