By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday that Pakistan’s recent security operations are rooted in its inherent right to defend its citizens against terrorism originating from across its borders, following repeated warnings that went unheeded.

Referring to his statement of 8 February 2026, President Zardari emphasized that Pakistan had alerted the international community that “when terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by innocent civilians all over the world.”

He criticized the Taliban regime in Kabul, stating that the de facto authorities -- not recognized by the United Nations -- have continued to allow terrorist elements to operate from Afghan soil in violation of commitments under the Doha Accord, which pledged that Afghan territory would not be used against any country, according to a statement issued from his office.

President Zardari highlighted the most recent United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team report, which confirms the presence of ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, and other groups in Afghanistan.

According to the report, some of these organizations continue to use Afghanistan to plan and prepare attacks abroad.

“The presence and activities of these groups pose serious threats to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan,” President Zardari said. He expressed regret that, despite clear warnings and repeated engagement, Afghan authorities failed to take credible and verifiable action against these elements.

The President stated that Pakistan exercised restraint for a considerable period, limiting its response to terrorist hideouts near the border. However, he warned that Pakistan knows the locations of the planners, facilitators, and patrons of violence, and if attacks continue inside Pakistan, “those responsible will not remain beyond reach.”

President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stability, and cooperative relations with all its neighbours, but stressed that peace cannot rely on denial, duplicity, or inaction against terrorism. “The protection of Pakistani lives remains paramount and non-negotiable,” he added.

The President’s remarks came in the wake of intelligence-based airstrikes conducted late Saturday night by the Pakistan Air Force, targeting multiple Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the eastern Afghan provinces of Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost.

A senior Pakistani intelligence source confirmed that seven TTP centers were destroyed and more than 80 militants were killed, with the death toll expected to rise.

The destroyed facilities included New Center No. 1 and No. 2 in Nangarhar, Khariji Maulvi Abbas Center in Khost, Khariji Islam and Ibrahim Centers in Nangarhar, and Khariji Mullah Rahbar and Mukhlis Yar Centers in Paktika.

Pakistani officials described the strikes as a “measured response” to a surge in cross-border attacks inside Pakistan.