Pakistan Army spokesperson addresses Afghan terrorism and regional mediation

Pakistan Army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has addressed regional security concerns and Pakistan's role in international diplomacy. Regarding Afghanistan, Chaudhry stated that Islamabad does not seek interference or terrorism from its neighbor but will take all necessary actions to curb terrorism originating from Afghan territory. He claimed that the Taliban use Afghan soil to train and launch attacks within Pakistan and the broader region, noting that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) receives financial support from the Afghan Taliban.

Chaudhry emphasized that Pakistan maintains the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. He reported that Pakistan has conducted over 42,000 intelligence-based operations this year, with more than 32,000 occurring in Balochistan alone.

On the diplomatic front, Chaudhry discussed Pakistan's potential role as a mediator between Iran and the United States. He noted that Pakistan's strategic and brotherly relations with Iran are a decisive factor in its ability to facilitate peace and prevent regional conflicts from escalating. Additionally, he clarified that the defense pact between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia is based on collective deterrence and is not an aggressive or expansionist alliance, stating that the doors remain open to any partners supporting regional stability.