On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid an important visit to the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where he received a comprehensive briefing from Pakistan’s top military officials regarding the escalating security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The briefing focused on recent developments, including cross-border hostilities and Pakistan’s strategic response to militant provocations originating from Afghan territory.
During his visit, the prime minister made it clear that Pakistan will maintain a strict policy of zero tolerance towards the alliance between the Afghan Taliban regime and various militant factions that have been targeting Pakistani soil. He condemned their hostile actions as unacceptable and reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty. His remarks underscored the seriousness with which Islamabad views these cross-border threats and its resolve to counter them decisively.
Prime Minister Sharif also took the opportunity to commend the professionalism and readiness of Pakistan’s security forces, led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He praised the military’s unwavering vigilance and capability in defending the country against any form of aggression. Highlighting the armed forces’ recent successful operations, he expressed confidence that Pakistan is fully equipped to protect its borders and maintain internal stability.
This high-profile visit came in the wake of intense cross-border exchanges of fire between Pakistani troops and Afghan Taliban militants. These clashes followed a major military operation conducted by Pakistan, which reportedly resulted in the elimination of 274 Taliban fighters and the destruction of 115 enemy tanks, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, and 73 border posts. Such a significant operation reflects the military’s determination to neutralize threats and restore peace along the volatile frontier.
Earlier on the same day, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, briefed the media about the details of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. He explained that the prime minister had been thoroughly updated on the operation shortly before the press conference. The operation, carried out during the night of February 21–22, targeted militant strongholds along the border in response to coordinated attacks launched by Afghan Taliban forces from 53 locations across 15 sectors.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry emphasized that Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes were precise and forceful, sending a clear message to the militants and their backers. He accused the Afghan Taliban regime of providing support to insurgents involved in cross-border attacks, thereby exacerbating regional instability. The ISPR chief further revealed that Pakistan now controls 18 former Taliban posts and that over 400 militants sustained injuries during the operation.
The air campaign was extensive, with strikes conducted at 22 strategic sites in key Afghan provinces including Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, and Khost. These targets were linked to extremist groups identified as “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij,” which have been implicated in orchestrating attacks against Pakistan. The operation demonstrated Pakistan’s capability to conduct coordinated air and ground assaults to dismantle militant infrastructure beyond its borders.
Throughout his visit to GHQ, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated the government’s firm stance against the alliance of the Afghan Taliban regime with militant groups that threaten Pakistan’s security. He described their hostile activities as intolerable and reaffirmed the country’s readiness to respond to any aggression with full force. The prime minister’s statements reflected a unified national resolve to support the armed forces in defending the homeland.
Concluding his address, Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with the military personnel safeguarding Pakistan’s frontiers. He praised the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for maintaining a high state of preparedness and ensuring that the nation’s security apparatus remains vigilant at all times. The prime minister emphasized that the entire population stands united behind the armed forces in their mission to protect Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
