Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed that Pakistan remains firmly committed to safeguarding its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security.
In a statement, the President said that Pakistan will never accept any disputed or misleading position on Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating that India's unlawful claims over the territory are contrary to international law and the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
President Zardari said it is unfortunate that the current Interim Afghan administration has turned away from the just struggle of the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, thereby doing injustice to both history and the Muslim Ummah.
He noted that attacks launched from the territory of the Interim Afghan Government by India-backed Khawarij terrorists are a well-documented reality, confirmed in successive United Nations Security Council monitoring reports. Pakistan, he said, has repeatedly made it clear that its civilians and security personnel are being targeted through the nexus of the Indian sponsored Khawarij and other terror groups.
President Zardari urged the Interim Afghan government to take concrete and verifiable action against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from the Afghan soil. He emphasized that terror menace of the Khawarij and other terror groups sponsored by India remain the greatest threat to regional peace and stability.
He said terrorism is a shared challenge and its burden cannot be placed on any single country.
He said Pakistan has demonstrated Islamic fraternity and exemplary neighborliness by hosting millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades. He said the dignified repatriation of Afghan citizens is in the interest of both countries and essential for sustainable peace.
President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to support the educational and humanitarian needs of the Afghan people, but no compromise will ever be made on Pakistan's national sovereignty.
He recalled that Pakistan has extended all possible facilitation to Afghanistan in trade, economic connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Mutual cooperation and economic partnership, he said, are the foundation for lasting peace and regional prosperity.
President Zardari underscored that Pakistan desires a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. He said brotherly relations must be based on mutual respect, security cooperation, and a shared commitment to regional peace.
The President expressed hope that the Interim Afghan Government will prevent its soil from being used by Khwarij and India-backed terrorist elements against Pakistan, stressing that only joint and practical measures can guarantee enduring peace in the region.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned Afghanistan's provocation in Pakistan's border areas.
In a statement, the Prime Minister paid glowing tribute to Pakistan Army for its befitting and vigorous action in response to Afghanistan's provocation. He also commended the professional prowess of Pakistan Army.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan Army, under the brave leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, not only gave a befitting response to the Afghan provocation, but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that there will be no compromise on Pakistan's defence and every provocation will be given a befitting and effective response.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan Army has always given a befitting reply to any kind of external aggression. He made it clear that the entire nation stands with Pakistan's security forces.
He recalled that Pakistan has repeatedly shared information with Afghanistan about presence of terrorist elements like Fitna-al-Khwarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, who launch attacks against Pakistan from the Afghan soil.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said terrorist organizations are backed by the elements, present in Afghanistan. Pakistan expects that the interim Afghan government will ensure that its territory is not used by terrorist elements against Pakistan.
Meanwhile Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the unprovoked Afghan aggression in border areas. In a statement, she paid tributes to Pak Army on giving a befitting reply to Afghan aggression.
Maryam Nawaz said that Pakistan wants peace, however there will be no compromise over Pakistan's sovereignty and citizens' protection.
Meanwhile Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar says the Foreign Office has issued its clear and unequivocal stance regarding Afghan aggression.
In a post on his X handle, he said it is a noteworthy fact that Afghanistan made aggression against Pakistan at the time when the Afghan Foreign Minister is on a visit to India and anti-Pakistan statements are being given the form of joint declarations there. The Information Minister termed this act is regrettable and condemnable.
Meanwhile Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the incidents of unprovoked firing by Afghan forces on Pakistani territory.
In a statement, he called the act a flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to regional peace. He emphasized that Pakistan has always exercised restraint, but will not compromise on its sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.
Mohsin Naqvi added that Pakistan's armed forces remain fully alert and prepared to respond decisively to any act of aggression.
Reaffirming national unity in the face of external aggression, Mohsin Naqvi said the people of Pakistan stand firmly with their armed forces.