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President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari warned on Sunday that Afghanistan under the Taliban has fallen into conditions “similar or worse than before 9/11”, accusing neighboring countries including India of enabling terror groups in the wake of recent attacks in Islamabad and Balochistan.
The president thanked world leaders and international organizations for expressing solidarity with Pakistan after Friday’s bombing at an imambargah in the federal capital that killed dozens of people, as well as the coordinated attacks in several towns and cities in Balochistan.
In a statement issued by the presidential secretariat, Zardari said terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil pose serious threats to regional and global peace, and called for collective international action to counter militancy and violent ideology.
“Pakistan takes strong exception to the situation in Afghanistan, where Taliban rule has created conditions similar to or worse than before 9/11, where terrorist organizations posed threats to global peace that ended in the 9/11 tragedy,” he was quoted as saying.
He said Pakistan had consistently maintained that terrorism could not be confronted by a single country in isolation, stressing that when terrorist groups were given space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences were borne by innocent civilians.
In that context, the President said that certain neighboring countries had “unfortunately become partners in crime” by allowing terrorist elements to operate against Pakistan from their territory, while some provided direct financial support as well as technical and military assistance.
“This is a reality that has characterized regional development in recent years,” he said. He also accused Pakistan’s eastern neighbor of aiding the Taliban regime and threatening not only Pakistan but also regional and global peace.
The President expressed gratitude to world leaders, governments and international organizations for standing with Pakistan in this moment of national grief. “Pakistan is humbled by the strong and sincere outpouring of support and solidarity,” he said.
President Zardari emphasized that messages of sympathy had brought comfort to the people of Pakistan and strength to families grieving their loved ones. He said the international response confirmed that the fight against terrorism and the violent ideology that drives it was a shared global responsibility and a shared struggle of all nations.
He reiterated Pakistan’s determination to continue working with international partners to achieve peace and stability and bring a decisive end to terrorism in all its forms. He also emphasized Islamabad’s long-standing position that Afghan territory has been repeatedly used by terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan, targeting both civilians and security personnel.
The September 11, 2001 attacks, carried out by Al Qaeda through coordinated hijackings, claimed nearly 3,000 lives and reshaped global security politics, a comparison Zardari invoked to highlight what he described as the growing dangers emanating from Afghanistan.
As the investigation into the Islamabad bombing continues, authorities say security has been tightened across major cities as intelligence agencies pursue leads related to cross-border facilitation.
Zardari said the solidarity shown by the international community had strengthened Pakistan’s resolve to confront terrorism, adding that the country remained deeply grateful for the compassion shown in this difficult hour.
(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)
