Taliban's civilian deaths claim rejected

FO blames Taliban regime for sheltering terrorist networks

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations regarding civilian casualties attributed to its counter-terrorism operations, saying misleading narratives would not obscure the threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement that such disinformation did not absolve the Afghan Taliban regime of its responsibility to prevent Afghan soil from being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan, which had resulted in more than 3,500 casualties in 2026 alone.

"As has been regularly reported by the relevant UN mechanisms, including the Monitoring Team, and which has been a cause of serious concern for the international community, the Taliban regime continues to shelter with impunity large numbers of terrorist organisations," the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, these terrorist outfits included Fitna al Khawarij, the term used for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Fitna al Hindustan, the term used for the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), along with their affiliates. These groups posed "a serious threat to the peace and stability of the region and beyond".

The statement said thousands of Pakistani civilians had been martyred in terrorist attacks planned, financed, supported and carried out from Afghan soil, under the watch, patronage and active facilitation of the Afghan Taliban regime.

"No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted. Any actions by Pakistan in response to such terrorist attacks have been undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defence, under principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort, and directed only and exclusively against terrorists and their logistical support bases in Afghanistan," the spokesperson said.

"Pakistan's response was proportionate to the level of threat, while strictly adhering to the principle of distinction and precaution. The scale and scope of the action reflected restraint, particularly in light of the severity and frequency of terrorist attacks faced by Pakistan. Pakistan rejects any insinuations otherwise."

The Foreign Office urged the international community to hold the Taliban regime accountable for its failure to fulfil its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other related commitments to prevent Afghan soil from being used as a launchpad for terrorism.

"Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and security of Pakistani nationals," the spokesperson added.

Separately, the Foreign Office strongly condemned "reprehensible" Houthi ballistic missile attacks on October 24 which targeted the Makkah and Madina.