By Mashal Khan

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan’s unprovoked provocations and aggression along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, expressing full solidarity with the Pakistan Army for giving a powerful and effective response to the attacks.

In a statement issued following reports of heavy clashes along the border, the Prime Minister lauded the professionalism, courage, and determination of Pakistan’s armed forces in defending the nation’s sovereignty. “We take pride in the professional competence of our armed forces,” said the Prime Minister.

He praised the bold leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, under whose command the Pakistan Army, he said, not only retaliated firmly against Afghanistan’s aggression but also destroyed multiple Afghan posts, forcing the attackers to retreat. “Under the courageous leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, our forces gave a strong and effective response, destroying several enemy posts and compelling them to withdraw,” the Prime Minister noted.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the defense and security of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the country’s sovereignty was non-negotiable and that any aggression from across the border would be met with full force. “There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s defense, and every act of aggression will be met with a strong and effective response,” he declared.

“Our defense is in strong hands, and we know well how to defend every inch of our motherland,” he emphasized, adding that Pakistan’s armed forces have always given “a crushing response to every kind of external aggression.”

Shehbaz Sharif said the entire Pakistani nation stands united behind its armed forces at this critical time. “The whole nation stands with the Pakistan Army like a wall of steel,” he asserted. “Our brave soldiers have always safeguarded the nation’s honor and borders, and they will continue to do so with the same spirit.”

The Prime Minister also drew attention to Pakistan’s consistent efforts to alert Afghanistan about the presence of terrorist groups operating from its territory against Pakistan. “Pakistan has repeatedly provided Afghanistan with credible information about terrorist elements such as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, who have been using Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside Pakistan,” he said.

He expressed grave concern that terrorist organizations continue to receive support from elements within Afghanistan, warning that such activities threaten regional peace and stability. “Terrorist organizations are being supported by elements based in Afghanistan,” he stated.

Shehbaz Sharif urged the Afghan interim government to take effective measures to ensure that its soil is not used by terrorist elements to launch attacks against Pakistan. “Pakistan expects that the Afghan interim authorities will ensure their territory is never again used against Pakistan,” he concluded.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions along the western frontier, following unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban forces on Pakistani border posts late Saturday — incidents that occurred soon after Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s meetings with Indian Foreign and Defense officials in New Delhi.

Officials in Islamabad have described the situation as “a serious violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty,” reaffirming that Pakistan’s armed forces will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the nation’s borders and citizens.