Ready for Talks on Firm Conditions, Ball Now in Afghanistan’s Court: PM Shehbaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** has said that Pakistan is ready to extend the ceasefire with Afghanistan if it is based on firm and verifiable conditions, emphasizing that the next move must come from Kabul.
Speaking during a federal cabinet meeting on Thursday, the Prime Minister accused Afghanistan of giving free rein to terrorists who recently launched attacks against Pakistan’s armed forces. “After these incidents, Pakistan’s patience has run out. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, our military has given a strong and fitting response to Afghan aggression,” he stated.
Sharif clarified that the ongoing ceasefire was made possible at the request of the Afghan leadership. “If the truce is intended for peace and cooperation, it can be prolonged — but if it is merely a tactic to buy time, we will not allow it,” he warned.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining fraternal ties with Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said, “Afghanistan welcomed and empowered terrorists. Now, the ball is in Afghanistan’s court.”
He also acknowledged that **Qatar** played a significant mediating role in facilitating the ceasefire discussions.
Highlighting Pakistan’s generosity, Sharif said, “Despite limited resources, Pakistan hosted Afghan refugees for decades. Yet when Pakistan was attacked at India’s instigation, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was in India.”
Touching on broader regional issues, he criticized those “using the Gaza conflict for political gain,” reaffirming that Pakistan has always stood with the people of **Palestine**.
“Pakistan, alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, and Türkiye, played its part in supporting the Gaza ceasefire,” he concluded.
