ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has emphasised a strategic shift toward self-reliance, urging regional powers to institute an independent security mechanism capable of fostering enduring stability without external reliance.
“I believe the time has come for this region to develop an independent security architecture to promote peace and stability, and take greater responsibility for our own regional peace and security,” Mr Dar said.
He also stressed the need for stronger regional and international cooperation, intelligence-sharing and collective action to address cross-border terrorist threats.
He was speaking at an international conference titled ‘Pakistan’s Evolving Counterterrorism Landscape: TTP, Cross-Border Threats and Regional Security’, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Tuesday.
Senator Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and promoting regional peace and security.
Highlighting the immense human and economic sacrifices made by Pakistan, he stated that counter terrorism was just not simply a policy debate in Pakistan, but a continuous story of sacrifice and valour.
Recalling his three visits to Afghanistan last year and engagements with Afghan Taliban authorities, he stated that Pakistan had made only one demand, to take visible, verifiable and irreversible actions against TTP and other associated terrorist groups, and their sanctuaries on Afghan soil.
He urged the Afghan authorities to fulfil their counterterrorism commitments made at Doha and to Pakistan.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar highlighted the immense sacrifices that Pakistan had made over the last four decades in the war against terrorism.
He urged the Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist groups from operating on their soil, stressing that Pakistan remained committed to regional peace and stability, but its desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
Pakistan’s former ambassador to Afghanistan Abrar Hussain highlighted militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan and growing tactical convergence between the TTP and BLA, calling for coordinated diplomatic engagement with Kabul involving China, Russia and Iran.
CEO and Founder, Gulf State Analytics USA, Giorgio Cafiero, observed that Gulf states sought Pakistan’s stability while maintaining engagement with Kabul, although their diplomatic channels have yet to translate into meaningful leverage over the Taliban.
Anchor and security analyst Naseem Zehra stressed that counterterrorism must address recruitment drivers through legal accountability, constitutional political space and civilian-led prevention.
Former special representative on Afghanistan Asif Durrani called for sustained dialogue with Afghanistan, effective border management and protection of legitimate trade.
Professor of Human Security and International Diplomacy at the Royal Melbourne, Australia, Joseph Siracusa, advocated intelligence-led counterterrorism, lawful accountability, disengagement pathways and greater international recognition of Pakistan’s sacrifices.
Former foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry called for stronger international cooperation and effective implementation of UN sanctions to address terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
Nust Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies Principal retired Maj Gen Zahid Mehmoodcited 225 militant attacks in Pakistan in September 2026, underscoring the importance of border management and regional cooperation, while clarifying that Pakistan’s actions target terrorist infrastructure, not the Afghan people.
Former assistant secretary of state for political military affairs, US, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt advocated pragmatic US-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation, regional coordination and separating shared security interests from broader geopolitical rivalries.
Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026
