ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry announced that Pakistan has temporarily suspended its cross-border military operations targeting militants based in Afghanistan in observance of the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. This pause, he clarified, is a gesture of respect for the festival but comes with a firm call for Afghanistan to act responsibly and ensure that its territory is not exploited for hostile activities against Pakistan.
Addressing the media, Chaudhry underscored the ongoing vulnerability faced by Pakistan’s mosques, marketplaces, and children due to cross-border terrorism. He stressed that while Pakistan has consistently played a supportive role within the Muslim world, the immediate priority must be the protection and security of its own citizens. This temporary halt in operations is therefore a limited measure, strictly confined to the duration of the Eid festivities.
He further emphasized that the military campaign would resume in full force once Afghanistan meets the conditions set by the international community. These conditions include preventing militant groups from using Afghan soil as a base for attacks against Pakistan. Chaudhry reminded that Afghanistan had made commitments under the Doha agreement to not allow its territory to be used for hostile activities, and it is imperative that Kabul honors this pledge to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Before arriving at this decision to pause the operation, Pakistan engaged in extensive diplomatic, political, and military-to-military discussions with Afghan authorities. The government had previously refrained from taking such military action, highlighting the seriousness with which it approached the issue through dialogue. However, the persistence of cross-border threats necessitated a more assertive approach, culminating in the ongoing military campaign.
Chaudhry also drew attention to the broader regional dynamics impacting Pakistan, particularly developments in the Middle East. With over four million Pakistani expatriates residing in the region and a significant portion of the country’s oil imports originating from there, any instability has direct repercussions on Pakistan’s economy and energy security. Despite the surge in global oil prices, the government has absorbed additional costs to ease the financial burden on citizens during the Eid period, reflecting its commitment to public welfare amid challenging circumstances.
In closing, the minister prayed for unity across the Muslim world and reiterated Pakistan’s appeal to Afghanistan to prevent its land from being used as a launchpad for terrorism against Pakistan. This call for cooperation is crucial to fostering peace and security along the shared border and beyond.
Background:
Pakistan’s ongoing military initiative, known as “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” targets terrorist infrastructure along the Afghan border. This operation focuses on dismantling militant training camps, destroying weapons stockpiles, and neutralizing drone storage facilities that pose a threat to Pakistan’s security. military sources, the campaign has successfully eliminated over 700 militants, injured more than 900, and destroyed hundreds of militant positions and vehicles.
This operation is part of Pakistan’s sustained efforts to combat cross-border terrorism and secure its western frontier. The temporary Eid ceasefire represents a strategic pause rather than a cessation, underscoring Pakistan’s resolve to continue its counterterrorism measures while encouraging Afghanistan to fulfill its responsibilities in preventing the use of its territory for hostile purposes.
