Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Afghan Taliban attacked Pakistan under India’s influence. He stated that Pakistan was forced to respond strongly. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting, he said Pakistan shares a long border with Afghanistan and has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades. He emphasized that Pakistan supported Afghans despite limited resources and maintained relations of brotherhood. However, he regretted that Afghan militants are now targeting Pakistan’s soldiers, police, and citizens, creating tension between the two neighbors.
The Prime Minister recalled that terrorism had ended in 2018, but it returned later due to policy mistakes. He said the government at that time allowed terrorists to return and resettle. Shehbaz Sharif added that Pakistan’s patience had finally run out after repeated attacks. He mentioned that top officials, including the defense minister, made several visits to Kabul to promote peace. However, he said Afghanistan chose aggression instead of cooperation. According to him, the attack happened while the Afghan foreign minister was in New Delhi, showing clear coordination with India.
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Shehbaz Sharif praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their powerful response. He said the army, under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, gave a strong and fitting reply. He added that Pakistan had no choice but to defend itself. The Prime Minister said a 48-hour ceasefire was later agreed upon at Afghanistan’s request. He mentioned that friendly countries, especially Qatar, are trying to help both sides reach peace. However, he warned that Pakistan would not tolerate misuse of the ceasefire and will only negotiate under fair and justified terms.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the Gaza conflict. He said some people tried to politicize the issue for personal gain. He condemned the killing of innocent civilians and children in Gaza, calling it a tragedy of modern times. Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump and other nations for helping to end the war. He said Pakistan played its part in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh. He added that people in Gaza celebrated the peace and thanked Allah for relief.
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In closing, Shehbaz Sharif discussed Pakistan’s economic progress. He thanked his team for securing the IMF staff-level agreement and said this should be the last such deal. He emphasized the need to end Pakistan’s dependence on loans and work hard for economic growth. He said national strength depends on economic stability and urged teamwork for a better future. The Prime Minister concluded that a strong economy would give Pakistan a more powerful voice in the world.