By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - At least 15 Afghan citizens carried out suicide attacks in Pakistan while 64 Afghan nationals have died during the counter-terrorism campaign of Pakistani LEAs, said Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.

During a press conference, Kakar said that all these facts are in the knowledge of Afghan govt.

"After Feb 2023, Pakistan has consistently protested to Afghan interim govt and provided all the details of terror incidents that occurred in Pakistan. The report of UN Monitoring Team issued on Jul 2023 also mentioned the centers of TTP in Afghanistan and increase in its anti-Pakistan activities," he said

The following is transcript of  PM Kakar press conference

📌 Pakistan-Afghan relations are based on common religion and brotherhood. Pakistan has supported Afghanistan in all difficult situations and shared their pain.
📌 Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees for 4 decades with its limited resources.
📌 After formation of interim govt in Aug 2021 we hoped that there would be durable peace in Afghanistan and both countries would establish new ways of progress through bilateral cooperation.
📌 It was hoped that strict action would be taken against anti-Pakistan groups, especially TTP and they will not be allowed to use Afghan soil against Pakistan. However, unfortunately, after the interim Afghan govt, there has been a 60% increase in terrorism and a 500% increase in suicide attacks in Pakistan.
📌 In the last 2 years, more than 2,000 Pakistanis were martyred due to cross-border terrorism.
📌 15 Afghan citizens were involved in the suicide attacks in Pakistan. Similarly, so far, 64 Afghan nationals have died during the counter-terrorism campaign of Pakistani LEAs.
📌 All these facts are in the knowledge of Afghan govt. After Feb 2023, Pakistan has consistently protested to Afghan interim govt and provided all the details of terror incidents that occurred in Pakistan. The report of UN Monitoring Team issued on Jul 2023 also mentioned the centers of TTP in Afghanistan and increase in its anti-Pakistan activities.
📌 Despite all this, Pakistan strongly supported Afghanistan and Afghan people across the world and diverted attention of international community towards difficulties faced by Afghan people.
📌 Pakistan also provided unusual concessions to Afghanistan in trade and imports. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s efforts were not honored and interim Afghan govt has not taken any measures against anti-Pakistan terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
📌 After the martyrdom of more than 100 people in a terrorist attack in Feb 2023, a high-level delegation headed by the Defense Minister from Pakistan went to meet the Afghan government, in which DG ISI was also present and informed interim Afghan govt about concerns of Pakistan and asked it to choose between Pakistan or TTP.
📌 Pakistan provided a list of all wanted terrorists present in Afghanistan was given to interim Afghan govt but despite repeated assurances, no action was taken against anti-Pakistan terrorist organizations. Instead, there is evidence of the facilitation of terrorist organizations.
📌 Instead of taking any concrete action, interim Afghan govt suggested Pakistan focus on its internal situation. After the noncooperation and behavior of Afghan govt, now Pakistan has decided to improve its internal situation.
📌 In this context, the recent actions of Pakistan are neither unexpected nor surprising. Illegal immigrants are the most responsible for spreading unrest in the country, therefore, the Pakistani state decided to repatriate such people to their home countries from 1 Nov.
📌 A large of foreign nationals are illegally residing in Pakistan and the majority are Afghan nationals. Illegal foreign immigrants are involved in the majority of terror incidents and crimes. However, Pakistan prioritized the volunteer return of these people and provided opportunities for foreigners to return with dignity.
📌 Pakistan’s institutions are making sure administrative arrangements in border areas and hope that Afghan government will also take appropriate measures for those who return.
📌 Pakistan has a legal and moral right to repatriate illegally residing foreign nationals. Other than these illegal foreign nationals, more than 1.4 million Afghan refugees are residing in Pakistan with proof of registration. 52,000 illegal Afghan citizens have returned since the operation.
📌 It was hoped that interim Afghan govt would take action against terrorists but Afghan govt has not taken any action in this regard. Pakistan registered 8 lac Afghan nationals under Afghan Citizen Cards and they are free to do business in Pakistan without any pressure.
📌 The benami properties and illegal revenue are linked with terrorism and crimes. This factor will be looked into during the ongoing campaign and action will be taken accordingly.
📌 The provocative and threatening statements of Afghan leaders are unfortunate. The increase in the wave of terrorism after threatening statements from Afghan leaders is not only meaningful but also validates the concerns of Pakistan.
📌 The Afghan Interim govt should realize that both states are neighbors but sovereign.
📌 Pakistan will continue Afghan Transit Trade to facilitate Afghanistan. Pakistan has taken some measures to counter smuggling which also includes a negative list that includes items that are least needed in Afghanistan but were being smuggled to Pakistan.
📌 The Pakistani nation showed empathy toward Afghan refugees but the allegations from Afghanistan as response has hurt sentiments of Pakistani nation.
📌 Pakistan tried to resolve these issues amicably through bilateral consensus and without bringing it to the media. However, after the unnecessary statements from high officials of Afghan govt it was important for Pakistani govt to clear its stance.
📌 We also demand interim Afghan govt to hand over all Pakistani nationals who are illegally residing in Afghanistan and involved in terrorism in Pakistan.
📌 We also hope that interim Afghan govt will take every possible measure against TTP, eliminate safe havens and training centers, and ensure that terrorist cannot use Afghan soil for their heinous aims.