PM Shehbaz, President Zardari reaffirm resolve amid border escalation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday issued strong statements reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty, territory and people amid intensified cross-border confrontations with Afghan Taliban forces.

The remarks come as Pakistani security forces continue counter-strikes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in response to what officials described as unprovoked attacks from the Afghan side. Security sources said militant positions, key command posts and ammunition depots were targeted, inflicting heavy losses on insurgents.

In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz said there would be no compromise on the country’s defence and that every act of aggression would be met with a firm and befitting response. He emphasised that the people and the armed forces remain fully prepared to safeguard national security and territorial integrity.

Highlighting the military’s professional capabilities, the premier said that under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the armed forces were discharging their duties with dedication and national spirit.

“Pakistan has consistently promoted peace, but our integrity will never be compromised,” he said, adding that the entire nation stands behind its armed forces.

President Zardari, in a social media message, echoed the prime minister’s sentiments, saying Pakistan would not compromise on peace or territorial integrity. He warned that anyone mistaking Pakistan’s pursuit of peace for weakness would face a strong, comprehensive and decisive response, stressing that no hostile element would be beyond the reach of the country’s armed forces.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had long hoped that peace would follow the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, expecting the Taliban to focus on regional stability and the welfare of Afghan citizens.

Instead, he alleged, the Taliban government had turned Afghanistan into a “proxy of India”, providing space for global terrorists and denying fundamental rights to its people, including women.

He noted that Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades and consistently supported Afghan welfare. “Our patience has reached its limit. Our forces are now delivering a decisive response,” he said, adding that no compromise would be made on national security.

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Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned what he described as attempts by the Afghan Taliban to target civilian populations, calling it a “horrific miscalculation”.

He said the attack, carried out under the cover of night, was cowardly and unacceptable, but Pakistan’s armed forces delivered a firm and decisive response. Naqvi praised the military’s professionalism and vigilance, reiterating that any attempt to harm innocent civilians would be met with severe repercussions.

Officials maintained that Pakistan remains committed to regional peace but will respond decisively to any aggression against its territory or citizens.