Firm against terrorism

2026-02-24 - 22:23

THE comprehensive statement made by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary in the Senate session on Monday reflected firm resolve of the State to take the decisive action against terrorists and their masters to the logical conclusion at all costs. He categorically stated that Pakistan’s defence forces and law enforcement agencies are committed to the defence of the country and reserve the right to take every necessary measure for the purpose. The Minister vowed there would be no compromise on the country’s security; adding about one hundred terrorists were killed in intelligence-based airstrikes carried out by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to target safe havens of terrorists in three provinces of Afghanistan. The revelation made by the Minister that during negotiations Afghanistan demanded Rs. 10 billion for resettlement of terrorists on the other side of the border speaks volumes about designs and intentions of the regime in Kabul and their ramifications for peace and security of the region. It shows virtual acknowledgement of patronage of terrorists at the cost of relations with Pakistan and that instead of dismantling the terrorist network and disarming militants, the Taliban government wants to create a structure to perpetuate the problem and that too with funding from Pakistan. Both civilian and military leadership of the country has repeatedly asserted that Pakistan wants peaceful coexistence with Afghanistan and resolution of all issues through dialogue but the demand of the Taliban government showed they do not believe in reciprocity, leaving Pakistan with no option to take necessary steps to secure its interests and lives of its citizens. There is no doubt that the challenge is daunting as terrorists have access to sophisticated arms left behind by American forces in Afghanistan as well as drones, reportedly supplied by India. This aspect was highlighted when terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) targeted an FC fort near the Dargah Shaheedan area in Bahadar Khel, within the jurisdiction of Khurram Muhammad Zai Police Station, with a drone strike on Monday. The injured personnel were being taken to the hospital when terrorists launched a second attack on the ambulances en route resulting in martyrdom of three personnel as attackers set the ambulances ablaze with the wounded inside. Such gory incidents justify an all-encompassing response by the security forces with full backing of the nation.