Islamabad has firmly dismissed the Afghan Taliban regime’s accusation that weapons are being smuggled from Pakistan into Afghanistan to support so-called “subversive activities,” labeling the claim as unfounded, frivolous, and inconsistent with verified facts.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting highlighted that Afghanistan is already saturated with large quantities of sophisticated arms and military equipment left behind after the withdrawal of US and coalition forces. These abandoned weapons and gear are valued at approximately $7.2 billion. Additionally, Afghanistan holds extensive reserves of Soviet-era weaponry amassed over decades of conflict.
Notably, the statement was issued shortly after the Afghan Defence Ministry announced the seizure of “dozens of tons of light and heavy weapons” allegedly smuggled from Pakistan. Pakistan countered that attempts to link these weapons to its territory seem intended to divert global focus from a more pressing and well-documented issue.
Pakistan emphasized that terrorist groups continue to find refuge, support, and operational freedom within Afghan borders to orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan. Instead of making implausible accusations and shifting blame, the Afghan Taliban authorities should concentrate on eliminating terrorist sanctuaries on their soil.
The statement further urged the Afghan Taliban to uphold their repeated commitments that Afghan territory would not be used to harbor terrorism against Pakistan or any other nation.
It is important to note that Pakistan has experienced a significant rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has persistently called on Kabul to prevent its land from being exploited by terrorist organizations to launch attacks within Pakistan.
However, the Afghan Taliban regime has consistently refused to take action against terror groups responsible for numerous assaults on Pakistani security forces and civilians. In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year, several months after both countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025. This ceasefire followed clashes triggered by unprovoked gunfire from the Afghan Taliban at multiple border points.
Despite multiple rounds of dialogue, the two sides have yet to reach a lasting agreement, largely due to the Afghan Taliban’s reluctance to curb terrorist outfits operating from their territory.
