Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Pakistan Army for its “strong and effective response to Afghanistan’s aggression” and “strongly condemned Afghanistan’s provocations along Pakistan’s border areas”, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“We take pride in the professionalism of our armed forces,” said the Prime Minister.
Under the “bold leadership” of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, he said, the Pakistan Army had not only responded decisively to Afghanistan’s provocations but had also destroyed multiple Afghan posts, forcing a retreat.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence and that every act of aggression would be met with a decisive response. “Our defence lies in capable hands, and we know well how to safeguard every inch of our homeland,” he said.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan’s security forces,” he added.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had repeatedly informed Afghanistan of the presence of terrorist elements, including Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan. “Terrorist organisations are being supported by certain elements within Afghanistan,” he noted.
He concluded by saying that Pakistan expected the Afghan interim government to ensure its territory was not used by terrorist elements against Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took to X to condemn Afghan aggression, “Unprovoked firing and raids along Pak-Afghan border by the Taliban Government is a serious provocation. Pakistan’s befitting response and strikes are against Taliban infrastructure and to neutralize Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.”
Deeply concerned over the developments on Pak-Afghan border. Unprovoked firing and raids along Pak-Afghan border by the Taliban Government is a serious provocation. Pakistan’s befitting response and strikes are against Taliban infrastructure and to neutralize Fitna-e-Khawarij…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 12, 2025
Read: Pakistan Army hits back after night of Afghan fire across multiple fronts
Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhary says operations against terrorists will continue as the country’s security and protection is a red line. Talking to the media in Jaranwala, he said that the state would not be blackmailed on the basis of any ideology or agenda.
Talal Chaudhary said that political changes would not alter the state’s resolve to act against militants.
The statements came in response to a night of heightened tensions and clashes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, triggered by Afghan firing across the border.
According to security sources, on Saturday night, Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire at several points along the frontier — including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir and Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), as well as the Zhob district in Balochistan.
The firing, they said, was aimed at facilitating the cross-border movement of “Khawarij” and TTP operatives. The Pakistan Army’s alert and vigilant posts responded swiftly and decisively, with the exchange of fire.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan on Friday of carrying out air strikes on its territory and warned of “consequences”. Islamabad, for its part, said its patience with Kabul was wearing thin, without confirming or denying the strikes.
At a press conference on Friday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry “noted” reports of the strikes. “To protect the lives of the people of Pakistan, we are doing, and will continue to do, whatever is necessary. Our demand to Afghanistan: your soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” he said.
Islamabad has long accused Kabul of failing to expel militants who use Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, an allegation Afghan authorities deny. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates are behind most of the recent violence in Pakistan, largely targeting security forces.
Earlier this year, a UN report stated that the TTP “receives substantial logistical and operational support from the de facto authorities,” referring to the Taliban government in Kabul.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told parliament on Thursday that several attempts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop backing the TTP had failed.
“We will not tolerate this any longer,” Mr Asif said. “United, we must respond to those facilitating them, whether the hideouts are on our soil or Afghan soil.”
