Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected allegations of civilian casualties resulting from its counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan, describing the claims as baseless and unsubstantiated while accusing the Afghan Taliban authorities of providing sanctuary to militant groups operating against Pakistan.
In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson said disinformation and misleading narratives could neither conceal the threat posed by militant networks operating from Afghan territory nor absolve the Taliban authorities of their responsibility to prevent Afghan soil from being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan.
The spokesperson said such attacks had resulted in more than 3,500 casualties in Pakistan during 2026 alone.
Referring to reports by relevant United Nations mechanisms, including the UN Monitoring Team, the Foreign Office said the continued presence of militant organisations in Afghanistan remained a matter of serious concern for the international community.
The statement alleged that the Afghan Taliban authorities continued to shelter several militant organisations, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the government refers to as Fitna al Khawarij, and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), designated by the government as Fitna al Hindustan, along with their affiliates.
It said these groups continued to pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The Foreign Office further alleged that thousands of Pakistani civilians had been killed in terrorist attacks planned, financed, supported and carried out from Afghan territory, accusing the Taliban authorities of providing patronage and active facilitation to the groups responsible.
“No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted,” the statement said.
Defending Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations, the spokesperson maintained that any action taken in response to such attacks had been carried out in exercise of the country’s right to self-defence, in accordance with the principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort.
The Foreign Office said the operations had been directed exclusively against militants and their logistical support bases in Afghanistan.
It maintained that Pakistan’s response had been proportionate to the threat and had strictly adhered to the principles of distinction and precaution.
The statement added that the scale and scope of the operations reflected restraint, particularly in view of the severity and frequency of terrorist attacks faced by Pakistan.
The Foreign Office rejected any suggestion that its actions had violated these principles.
Pakistan also urged the international community to hold the Afghan Taliban authorities accountable for what it described as their failure to fulfil obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and other commitments to prevent Afghan territory from being used as a base for terrorism.The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan reserved the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.
