ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized Pakistan’s desire for a lasting solution to terrorism originating from Afghanistan, warning that unresolved issues could lead to a full-scale Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict.
Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister highlighted the close ties between the two nations, describing the Afghan people as “brothers and sisters” of Pakistan. He reminded ministers of Pakistan’s extensive 2,000-kilometer border with Afghanistan and reiterated that Pakistan has historically hosted around four million Afghan refugees, extending support despite limited resources.
However, he pointed out that militants operating from across the border have been emboldened by certain elements within Afghanistan, continuing to carry out deadly attacks on Pakistani military personnel, law enforcement, civilians, and officers. Such actions, he warned, risk escalating into a broader war if not contained.“Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister have made multiple visits to Kabul to urge the Afghan government to take action against terrorists,” he said. “Both countries must work through dialogue and mutual understanding to ensure peace and foster progress. If these issues remain unresolved, the situation could spiral into a wider conflict.”
Sharif accused external actors of inciting violence, mentioning that militants launched attacks even while Afghanistan’s foreign minister was in New Delhi. “When provocations persist, Pakistan’s patience wears thin,” he asserted, noting that under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s leadership, the military responded decisively to recent cross-border assaults a move aimed at preventing an escalation into war.
The premier also announced that Pakistan had agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire following Kabul’s request. “If Afghanistan accepts Pakistan’s reasonable conditions, we are prepared for a sustainable peace agreement. The responsibility now lies with Kabul,” he stated, adding that Qatar is actively mediating to defuse tensions.
He further urged Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities and called for the elimination of “Fitna al-Khawarij,” factions he claimed were inciting discord and risking conflict.Paying homage to security personnel martyred in recent violence, Sharif shared that he attended their funerals, and the families expressed pride in their sacrifices. He criticized the previous government for allowing militants to regroup, leading to the resurgence of terrorism after 2018.
On international issues, the prime minister condemned the devastating casualties in Gaza, where approximately 74,000 civilians—including women, children, and the elderly—have been killed, and infrastructure like schools and hospitals targeted. He praised global efforts, including those by US President Donald Trump and Muslim-majority nations such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia, that resulted in a ceasefire and halted the bloodshed.
Sharif also criticized political figures who exploited the Gaza crisis for domestic political gains instead of working toward peace. He called for continued diplomatic efforts to support the establishment of a Palestinian state and ensure Palestinians’ rights in line with UN resolutions.
Turning to Pakistan’s economic outlook, the prime minister welcomed the recent staff-level agreement with the IMF and emphasized the importance of achieving economic self-reliance, hoping that future IMF programs would be the last for Pakistan. He urged stakeholders to focus on advancing science and technology to realize the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and to build a prosperous Pakistan, honoring the sacrifices made at independence for a brighter future.
