The recent statements by European Union Special Envoy Gilles Bertrand and United Kingdom Special Envoy Richard Lindsay mark a significant shift in the international discourse surrounding terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Their unequivocal acknowledgement of Pakistan’s legitimate right to self-defence against cross-border terrorist threats not only validates Islamabad’s longstanding concerns but also exposes the Taliban regime’s persistent failure to honour its international commitments.
Regional peace cannot be achieved while terrorist safe havens remain intact.
For years, Pakistan has warned the international community that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to exploit Afghan territory as a sanctuary for planning, training, and launching attacks against Pakistan. These concerns were often met with scepticism or diplomatic caution. However, the candid remarks of senior European diplomats now leave little room for ambiguity. Richard Lindsay’s admission that the TTP receives support from Afghanistan and benefits from training facilities, weapons flows, financial assistance, and safe havens reinforces what Pakistan has consistently argued: terrorism cannot thrive without enabling environments.
More importantly, the envoys have correctly placed responsibility where it belongs.
The authorities exercising control in Kabul and Kandahar cannot escape accountability by claiming ignorance or incapacity. If the Taliban seek international recognition and legitimacy, they must demonstrate a genuine commitment to preventing Afghan soil from being used against neighbouring states. Failure to do so not only destabilises the region but also undermines the Taliban’s own claims of having restored security in Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s inability or unwillingness to curb terrorist groups constitutes a blatant violation of the Doha Agreement. Under the accord, the Taliban pledged that Afghan territory would not be used to threaten the security of other countries. Yet since their takeover, multiple United Nations reports have surfaced identifying a wide range of terrorist organisations operating within Afghanistan. The presence of groups such as the TTP, Al-Qaida, ISKP, ETIM, and others implies the widening gap between Taliban promises and ground realities. The discovery and elimination of Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a safe house in Kabul delivered perhaps the most damning evidence of this duplicity. It shattered the Taliban’s narrative that they had severed ties with transnational terrorist networks and demonstrated that some of the world’s most dangerous militants continue to find refuge under their rule.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s right to self-defence is not merely a legal argument, but it is a necessity. As Richard Lindsay rightly observed, every sovereign state possesses the right to act when faced with a clear and imminent threat. The world cannot expect Pakistan to remain passive in the face of persistent terrorist attacks, as it is both unrealistic and unjust.
Moreover, the international community must move beyond expressions of concern and demand tangible action from the Taliban. Regional peace cannot be achieved while terrorist safe havens remain intact. The message from Europe is clear: the burden of responsibility lies with the Taliban, and Pakistan’s security concerns are both legitimate and justified.
The writer is a freelance columnist.