Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of Pakistan reiterated the nation's commitment to fostering peaceful relations with neighboring countries while emphasizing zero tolerance towards terrorist activities originating from their territories. Sharif made these remarks during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, against the backdrop of escalated tensions along the border with Afghanistan.
"Pakistan unequivocally rejects any incursions by terrorists from neighboring states. While we seek peaceful relations with our brethren in neighboring countries, we cannot condone the use of their territories for terrorist acts," quoted the Dawn newspaper, citing the prime minister's statement.
Sharif proposed that neighboring countries collaboratively devise and implement a strategy to combat terrorism in the region. "I urge our neighbors to consider my proposal seriously," he added.
The recent attack by militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on a military garrison in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, resulting in the loss of seven soldiers, has escalated tensions. Pakistani Air Force strikes in Paktika and Khost Provinces were met with retaliatory shelling by Afghan border troops. Inayatullah Kharazmi, a spokesman for the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, reaffirmed the group's readiness to defend Afghanistan's territorial integrity against any aggression. Tensions persist along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
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Based on materials from TASS