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President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday warned that Afghanistan under the Taliban has descended into conditions “similar to or worse than pre-9/11”, accusing neighbouring countries, including India, of enabling terrorist groups in the wake of recent attacks in Islamabad and Balochistan.
The president thanked the world leaders and international organisations for expressing solidarity with Pakistan after Friday’s bombing at an imambargah in the federal capital that killed dozens of people as well as the coordinated assaults in several cities and towns of Balochistan.
In a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Zardari said terrorist organisations operating from Afghan soil posed serious threats to regional and global peace, urging collective international action to counter militancy and violent ideology.
“Pakistan takes strong exception to the situation in Afghanistan where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar to or worse than pre-9/11, when terror organisations posed threats to global peace ending in the 9/11 tragedy,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He said Pakistan had consistently maintained that terrorism could not be confronted by any single country in isolation, stressing that when terrorist goups were allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences were borne by innocent civilians.
Within that context, the president said certain neighbouring countries had “regrettably become partners in crime” by allowing terrorist elements to operate against Pakistan from their territory, while some provided direct financial support as well as technical and military assistance.
“This is a reality that has shaped regional developments in recent years,” he said. He also accused Pakistan’s eastern neighbour of assisting the Taliban regime and threatening not only Pakistan but also regional and global peace.
The president expressed gratitude to the world leaders, governments and international organisations for standing with Pakistan during this moment of national grief. “Pakistan is humbled by the strong and sincere outpouring of support and solidarity,” he said.
President Zardari stressed that messages of sympathy had brought comfort to the people of Pakistan and strength to families mourning their loved ones. He said the international response reaffirmed that the fight against terrorism and the violent ideology driving it was a shared global responsibility and a common struggle for all nations.
He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue working with international partners to achieve peace and stability and to bring about a decisive end to terrorism in all its forms. He also underscored Islamabad’s longstanding position that Afghan territory has repeatedly been used by terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan, targeting both civilians and security personnel.
The Sept 11, 2001, attacks, carried out by Al Qaeda through coordinated aircraft hijackings, claimed nearly 3,000 lives and reshaped global security policies, a comparison Zardari invoked to highlight what he described as the growing dangers emanating from Afghanistan.
As investigations into the Islamabad bombing continue, authorities say security has been tightened across major cities, while intelligence agencies pursue leads linked to cross-border facilitation.
Zardari said the solidarity shown by the international community had strengthened Pakistan’s determination to confront terrorism, adding that the country remained deeply grateful for the compassion extended during this difficult hour.
(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)
