ISLAMABAD — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorism “to the last breath” during a Senate address. He said Islamabad remains firm that no external or internal pressure will dictate national policy.
Pakistan presents evidence of militant operations from Afghanistan.
Dar noted that in recent rounds of dialogue facilitated by Türkiye and Qatar, Pakistan provided the Afghan interim authorities with “concrete proof” of groups such as Tehrik i Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Fitna al Khawarij, and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) using Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. He reiterated that Islamabad expects tangible action from Kabul to fulfill mutual assurances that neither side’s territory will be used against the other.
Regional connectivity vision tied to security
Beyond security, Ishaq Dar highlighted Pakistan’s ambitions in regional trade and connectivity. He revealed that the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, aiming to link Central Asia with Pakistan’s ports, has entered its implementation phase with a framework agreement already signed. During his tenure as Finance Minister, Pakistan collaborated with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on a plan for a 624-kilometre rail corridor connecting Pakistan to Uzbekistan, extending trade and transit to China, Russia, and Europe.
Diplomatic implications and next steps
Dar expressed optimism about an upcoming meeting with the Afghan interim government, remarking on “constructive engagement and expected progress.” He urged that Pakistan’s sovereign rights and security cannot be compromised and asked both political allies and opposition to avoid blame-games while focusing on an actionable strategy.
Snapshot of strategic priorities
- Pakistan demands clear, verifiable action from Afghanistan to cease cross-border militant operations.
- Pakistan positions itself as a trade-and-transit hub linking South Asia with Central Asia and beyond.
- Two-track engagements with Türkiye and Qatar underline the regional dimension of Pakistan–Afghanistan ties.
- Dar underscored that national policy is formulated independently and Pakistan’s military is “apolitical,” functioning under constitutional bounds.
Outlook
This Senate briefing sets the tone for Pakistan’s dual-track policy towards Afghanistan: pressing for security guarantees while accelerating economic connectivity initiatives. The coming weeks may prove decisive if Kabul responds substantively and projects like the railway corridor gain ground. Conversely, should militant attacks persist or diplomatic momentum falter, Pakistan may intensify pressure, shifting the regional balance further.
