A combination of factors — including India’s growing influence and Ghani’s courting of pan-Pakhtun nationalism and larger strategic goals — led Islamabad to continue backing the Taliban.
Says Pakistan reserves the right to “take all appropriate actions in its self-defence and to protect its citizens in accordance with international law".
Resolution says that any attempt to challenge the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national security of Pakistan would be met with a firm, proportionate, and decisive response.
“We exercised utmost caution to prevent any harm to civilians,” FO spokesperson says; adds that strikes were "proportional, based on careful planning with necessary due diligence".
Strikes occur in response to recent suicide bombings in Pakistan; Info ministry announces "intelligence-based selective targeting" of camps and hideouts belonging to TTP and ISKP.
FO expresses concern that TTP “operates with impunity from Afghan soil”; tells Afghan Taliban regime to take "immediate, concrete and verifiable" measures.
Not only have Afghan Taliban failed to prevent these activities, they have "sheltered, actively supported, and collaborated" with terrorists, says envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
Premier says "what is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan, and vice versa"; notes terrorism resurged after 2018; laments lack of development in KP.
