January 4, 2023
2 mins read

Pakistan has right to defend itself from terrorism: State Dept

Islamabad has complained about cross-border terrorist attacks by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from bases in Afghanistan protected by the Taliban regime in Kabul….reports Arul Louis

Regarding Islamabad’s National Security Committee’s (NSC) warning of action against Afghanistan, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price has said that Pakistan has a right to defend itself against terrorism.

He said on Tuesday: “We’re aware of the recent statement by the Pakistani National Security Committee. The Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism.”

Price was replying to a question at his daily briefing about what is seen as a threat to Afghanistan in the NSC statement on Monday that “no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists and Pakistan reserves all rights in that respect to safeguard her people”.

Islamabad has complained about cross-border terrorist attacks by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from bases in Afghanistan protected by the Taliban regime in Kabul.

Price said that the Afghan Taliban has been “unable or unwilling” to fulfil its commitment to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism.

The US calls “on the Taliban to uphold the very commitment they have made to see to it that Afghan soil is never again used as a launchpad for international terrorist attacks”, he said.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also hinted during a TV programme that Islamabad was planning strikes on TTP bases in Afghanistan, according to Dawn newspaper.

Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, which had been supported by Pakistan, denied Sanaullah’s allegations that it was sheltering the TTP and asserted that he was being “provocative”.

A Doha-based Taliban official Ahmad Yasir taunted Pakistan in a tweet reminding it of the surrender of nearly 100,000 of its military personnel to India during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

He tweeted: “It’s Afghanistan, which is the graveyard of empires. Never think of a military attack on us, or else you may end up with the embarrassing repeat of the agreement with India.”

About the restrictions that the Taliban placed on women last month barring them from higher education and from working for non-governmental organisations, Price said that the US was discussing internally and with allies “very specific consequences” for the Afghan regime.

He said: “We have said repeatedly that there will be a response from the US. We’re going to continue to coordinate closely. We’ll share additional details on that when we have.”

ALSO READ: Pakistan-Taliban ties in jeopardy

Previous Story

Canada admits record number of new immigrants last year

Next Story

Japan, 4 others start responsibilities as newly elected UNSC members

Latest from -Top News

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with

India-EU Trade Deal Breakthrough Soon?

Negotiators report increased momentum in discussions, which have been given a boost from US President Donald Trump’s tariff offensive…reports Asian Lite News India and the European Union aim to finalise a trade

Europe Seeks Peace in Gaza

European countries condemn Israeli interception of Gaza-bound flotilla, demand safety of citizens…reports Asian Lite News Israel’s interception of an international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza has sparked condemnation across Europe, with

GAZA: Egypt to Host Peace Talks

Egypt hopes the discussions will help “end the war and the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people, which has continued for two consecutive years…reports Asian Lite News Egypt will host Israeli and

‘My Injuries Made Me’

During his four-year battle with injury, the incumbent fast bowling spearhead made occasional appearances but couldn’t bear the workload and demands of red-ball cricket….reports Asian Lite News England tearaway Jofra Archer believes
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan prosecutes 2 dozen scribes for criticising military

The Section 20, which criminalises online defamation, and carries a

Pak Election Results Spark Political Horse-Trading

Nawaz Sharif tasks brother Shehbaz to form alliance with major