Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is willing to hold talks with Afghanistan, but only under legitimate and mutually respectful conditions.
Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting on Thursday, he emphasized Pakistan’s longstanding humanitarian support for millions of Afghan refugees, highlighting deep cultural and religious ties between the two nations. However, he voiced concern over rising cross-border militant attacks targeting Pakistani forces and civilians, warning that the country’s patience had reached its limit.
Shehbaz noted that Pakistan’s top officials, including the deputy prime minister and defense minister, had visited Kabul multiple times to promote peace, but Afghanistan “chose aggression over cooperation.” He also alleged that a recent attack on Pakistani troops was carried out “at India’s behest” while the Afghan foreign minister was in New Delhi.
Following the incident, Pakistan launched a defensive response under the leadership of Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir and later agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire at Afghanistan’s request, mediated by Qatar.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to Qatar’s Emir for helping ease tensions and reiterated Pakistan’s desire for a long-term, peaceful resolution.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Palestine and Kashmir, and noted that Islamabad had reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF, vowing to make it the last bailout through national self-reliance.
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