Pakistan vows relentless strike on terror networks, upholds balanced policy on Iran

ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistani security official briefed media on Monday, providing detailed updates on Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq and the country’s approach toward regional developments in Iran, emphasizing Pakistan’s sovereignty, transparency, and strategic priorities.

The official reiterated that Pakistan’s military campaign in Afghanistan is strictly focused on combating terrorism and dismantling infrastructure used by militants to target Pakistani citizens.

"The Afghan Taliban have to choose between Pakistan and the terrorist groups operating from their soil," the official said, noting that the duration of operations would depend entirely on the Afghan Taliban regime's actions on the ground.

The campaign will continue until Afghanistan provides verifiable assurances that it will cease facilitation of terrorist groups such as Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan, the official said.

He added that Pakistan is not pursuing a regime change in Afghanistan and has no issue with the Afghan people. The military action is targeted against those who perpetrate acts of terrorism and their facilitators, including posts used as launch pads for attacks inside Pakistan, he asserted.

"More than 180 posts have been destroyed and over 30 captured, all carefully selected based on tactical relevance," he said, stressing that the operations are proportionate and focused solely on terrorist infrastructure.

The official criticized the Afghan Taliban regime for operating as a "proxy master" and described their leadership as driven by a "war economy disguised as perverted religious ideology," stating that their "only religion is money".

He also refuted propaganda spread by Afghan Taliban and their Indian backers, urging the public to fact-check information from Taliban-controlled accounts, which he said lack credibility.

The operations have reportedly received positive response from oppressed Afghan communities and minorities, reinforcing the narrative that Pakistan’s actions are against terrorist networks, not ordinary Afghan citizens.

The official acknowledged the Army's involvement in internal security, attributing it to governance gaps and partial implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP). He emphasized that the military has no political ambitions and urged all political parties to focus on better governance and full NAP implementation to improve internal security.

Responding to a question about the regional diplomacy, the official said Pakistan is pursuing a balanced policy toward Iran, emphasizing that Islamabad values its traditional friendship with Tehran. Pakistan has conveyed concerns over attacks by Iran on Arab countries and continues to encourage a stable and peaceful Iran, the official said.

"Pakistan’s misperceived role as a potential target is completely misplaced," he said, highlighting differences between Pakistan and Iran in terms of military capability, foreign policy, and internal dynamics.

The official added that Pakistan's foreign policy is guided by engagement with multiple global stakeholders, mutual respect, and trust, asserting the country’s capability to defend its sovereignty, as demonstrated during recent events such as Marka-e-Haq and ongoing anti-terrorism operations.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s decade-long strategic relations with Saudi Arabia and stated that decisions regarding participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) will be made after due diligence by the government.

Regarding domestic unrest linked to tensions in Iran, the official stressed that while peaceful protests are a democratic right, any acts of violence will not be tolerated. Authorities are prepared to enforce the law to prevent miscreants from undermining peaceful demonstrations, he asserted.

The senior official concluded by emphasizing that Pakistan’s Armed Forces, backed by its resilient nation, remain fully capable of thwarting threats and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, with complete transparency regarding ongoing operations.