Afghanistan Must Choose Between Foreign Elements and Pakistan: PM Shehbaz Sharif

BANNU: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned Afghanistan to make a clear choice between harboring foreign elements or standing with Pakistan, reiterating that terrorism will be met with a strong and uncompromising response.

According to security sources, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Bannu, where both leaders attended the funeral prayers of 12 martyrs of the South Waziristan operation and paid tribute to their sacrifices. They also visited injured soldiers at CMH Bannu.

Later, the Prime Minister and the Army Chief participated in a high-level meeting on counterterrorism, during which the Peshawar Corps Commander briefed them on the security situation.

PM Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan will continue to respond decisively to terrorism, leaving no room for ambiguity. He noted that the masterminds and facilitators of terrorist attacks in Pakistan are operating from Afghanistan with backing from India.

He stated that Afghan nationals are involved in cross-border terrorist incidents and stressed the urgent need for the repatriation of those residing illegally in Pakistan.

“The Pakistani nation completely rejects political point-scoring and misleading narratives on terrorism,” Shehbaz declared, adding that anyone facilitating or rationalizing foreign and Indian-sponsored terror proxies is serving their agenda and will be dealt with accordingly.

He further said that the people of Pakistan, especially those of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stand united with the state and armed forces against India’s proxies. “Whatever administrative and legal measures are necessary to give a stronger response to terrorism will be taken without delay,” the Prime Minister affirmed.