ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday described as baseless and unsubstantiated the allegations levelled by Afghanistan that civilians had been killed during counter-terrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Disinformation and misleading narratives will neither obscure the threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory nor absolve the Afghan Taliban regime of its responsibility to prevent Afghan soil from being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan,” the FO said in a statement. These attacks have resulted in more than 3,500 casualties this year alone.

The spokesperson recalled a UN monitoring team had stated in its report that the Taliban regime continues to shelter with impunity a large number of terrorist organisations. The Foreign Office cited the names of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) / Fitna al-Khawarij, the Balochistan Liberation Army / Fitna al-Hindustan in this context.

“These entities and their affiliates continue to pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the region and beyond,” the FO added.

The spokesperson further said thousands of civilians had been martyred in Pakistan in terrorist attacks that were planned, financed, supported and carried out from Afghan soil _ all under the watch, patronage and facilitation by the Afghan Taliban regime.

“No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted.”

Pakistan’s actions in response to such terrorist attacks were undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defence and under principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort, the spokesperson observed.

These actions were directed exclusively against terrorists and their logistical support bases in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s response was proportionate to the magnitude of the threat and strictly adhered to the principle of distinction and precaution.

The scale and scope of the action reflected restraint, particularly in light of the severity and frequency of terrorist attacks faced by Pakistan, the spokesperson said.

“Islamabad reserves the right to take all necessary measures in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and security of Pakistani citizens,” the spokesperson added.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026