RAWALPINDI: DG ISPR said that the Afghan Taliban government is the major enabler of terrorists who are entering Pakistan.
During a detailed meeting with senior journalists on November 25, the head of Pakistan Army’s media wing strongly refuted misleading propaganda regarding the armed forces’ handling of border management.
DG ISPR stated that the Pak-Afghan border consists of extremely difficult and challenging terrain. The border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spans 1,229 kilometres and includes 20 crossing points. The distance between border posts ranges from 20 to 25 kilometres.
The spokesperson stated that border fencing cannot be effective unless it is covered by observation and fire. He added that constructing forts every 2 to 5 kilometres and conducting drone surveillance would require massive resources.
Unlike Punjab and Sindh, villages on both sides of the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are divided, the DG ISPR said.
He said that border management is always done jointly by both countries but the Afghan Taliban are completely facilitating the infiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan.”
The DG ISPR said that no effective administrative structure exists there, leading to a surge in lawlessness. He stated that an extremely strong nexus between political elements, terrorist groups, and criminal networks in these areas, facilitated by “Fitna al-Khawarij”.
The military spokesman questioned, “If terrorist formations are coming from across the border or illegal smuggling is taking place, whose duty is it to stop it inside the country? If millions of non-custom-paid vehicles are roaming in your province, who is supposed to stop them?” He said that these smuggled vehicles are part of the political-terror-crime nexus and are used in suicide attacks.
Reiterating Pakistan’s clear stance on the Doha Agreement, the DG ISPR said Pakistan has placed irrefutable evidence before the Afghan Taliban regime regarding terrorism sanctuaries, adding that terrorist leadership of Al-Qaeda, Daesh, and other groups remains present in Afghanistan along with funding and weapons being provided for use against Pakistan.
“We demand that the Afghan Taliban regime stop facilitating terrorists and enter into a verifiable mechanism. Pakistan has no objection if a third party establishes such a verifiable mechanism,” he added.
Also read: 4729 Terrorism Incidents Reported in Pak This Year, 3357 in KP Only: DG ISPR
