Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly criticized the Kabul government for failing to take effective action against terrorism originating from Afghan soil, saying that Pakistan was left with no option but to suspend all trade with its neighboring country due to Kabul’s inaction against terrorist groups.
According to sources, while addressing a national workshop on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Prime Minister said that Pak Afghan trade is completely shut down, which should not have happened, but Pakistan was forced to take this step. Expressing disappointment over the interim Afghan government’s neglect of peace and stability, he said the time has come for Afghanistan to decide whether it truly wants peace or not. He added that if they do not care about peace with Pakistan, they should at least show mercy to their own people and stop oppressing them.
Emphasizing bilateral relations, he said that what is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan, and the same applies in reverse. Referring to the historical ties between the two nations, he expressed regret that past and present Afghan governments have failed to appreciate Pakistan’s support and cooperation. He said Pakistan did not do Afghanistan any favor by hosting four million refugees, yet the response Pakistan received was deeply hurtful.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also referred to the 2020 Doha Agreement, which clearly outlined Afghanistan’s commitments regarding the fight against terrorism. He pointed out the Afghan government’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities, saying the agreement was absolutely clear. He added that Pakistan had only one demand: to control terrorist groups active on Afghan soil, whether TTP, BLA, or India backed groups. Unfortunately, he said, the Afghan government showed no serious resolve.
Praising the resilience and courage of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Prime Minister said the Afghan conflict has caused Pakistan immense losses, especially in the form of precious human lives and unmatched sacrifices. The effects of the Afghan war are evident. Pakistan gave shelter to millions of Afghan refugees and welcomed them like family, but what did Pakistan receive in return? He referred to the martyrdom of thousands of Pakistanis due to terrorism.
The Prime Minister said that by 2018, Pakistan had completely eliminated terrorism through the efforts of its security forces and the sacrifices of its people. After the 2014 attack on the Army Public School, there was no distinction between good and bad Taliban. However, he questioned why terrorism increased again after 2018, adding that everyone knows the answer.
He attributed the new wave of violence in the country to the release of several terrorists from Swat and the influx of people from Afghanistan, calling these the main reasons behind the resurgence of terrorism. He said ongoing unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to hinder Pakistan’s development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned hate campaigns on social media, saying there is an organized and malicious effort to malign the sacrifices of martyrs, with online groups working alongside Pakistan’s enemies across the border.
He added that although resources were provided under the NFC Award, development is still not visible in some areas, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
