The Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Asim Munir, has expressed that enduring peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan hinges on the Taliban government renouncing its backing for terrorism and terrorist organizations. This statement was made during his visit to Wana in the South Waziristan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he assessed the security landscape and operational readiness along the western border with Afghanistan, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to the issued statement, Munir emphasized that true peace could only be achieved if the Afghan Taliban ceased its support for terrorism.

Visit to Martyrs’ Monument and Security Briefing

During his visit, Field Marshal Munir paid tribute by laying a floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument, commemorating those who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation. He offered fateha, underlining that the sacrifices of these individuals remain vital to Pakistan’s security and resilience.

The Army Chief received an in-depth briefing regarding the current security environment, ongoing intelligence-led operations, and border management strategies. The ISPR’s statement highlighted that Munir was informed about the ongoing operation named Ghazab Lil Haq, along with the developments along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Encouragement for Forces Amid Rising Tensions

Munir interacted with military officers and troops stationed in forward positions, commending their professionalism and morale, especially amidst ongoing skirmishes. He lauded their unwavering commitment to uphold Pakistan’s sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the region.

The ISPR’s communication noted that Munir pointed out the unacceptable use of Afghan territory by groups referred to as Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan to launch attacks against Pakistan. The state defines Fitna al Khawarij as members of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al Hindustan pertains to militant factions operating in Balochistan.

Military Operations and Bilateral Relations

Munir reiterated the necessity for the Afghan Taliban to renounce support for terrorism for peace to be established between the two nations. He expressed confidence in the military’s operational readiness and the resilience of the forces deployed along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have significantly worsened in recent years, notably marked by border clashes that began in October of the previous year. Mediated discussions in Doha by Turkey and Qatar initially resulted in a fragile ceasefire, but later rounds of negotiations did not yield a substantive agreement, although there was a general understanding to establish a verification mechanism.

Continued Military Operations Addressing Cross-Border Threats

In a series of military actions, Pakistan carried out overnight strikes on February 22 aimed at alleged terrorist camps located in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan. This prompted retaliatory attacks by the Afghan Taliban along the border, leading Pakistan to initiate Operation Ghazab Lil Haq on February 26. In a recent media interaction, a senior security official emphasized that cross-border operations would persist until verifiable assurances against terrorism facilitation are received from Kabul. The official stated that military operations would cease once the Taliban regime in Afghanistan provides clear compliance with Pakistan’s requests regarding the cessation of support for groups labeled Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan, insisting that there is no rush in this matter.

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