Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan of Allowing U.S. Strikes; Islamabad Denies
ISLAMABAD (Dispatches) – Pakistan has denied accusations of covert cooperation with Washington, emphasizing it has not authorized U.S. attacks on Afghanistan from its territory and reaffirming its commitment to resolving disputes with Kabul through peaceful channels.
Speaking to reporters at army headquarters, Pakistan military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry dismissed claims by Afghanistan’s caretaker government of secret cooperation with the United States.
“We have never permitted the Americans to carry out drone attacks on Afghanistan from Pakistani territory,” Chaudhry said, describing the allegations as an attempt to deflect blame.
Chaudhry said Pakistan’s “one-point agenda” with Afghanistan is to ensure that its territory is never used by militants to target Pakistan. He highlighted Islamabad’s participation in the Doha and Istanbul processes aimed at addressing cross-border militancy, but stressed that if diplomatic efforts fail, Pakistan is prepared to respond.
The military spokesperson also addressed rising tensions with India, accusing New Delhi of supporting destabilizing elements in Afghanistan to operate against Pakistan. He warned that any hostile action would be met with a “swift and forceful response,” including potential maritime-based operations.
On the Gaza crisis, Chaudhry said any decision to deploy Pakistani forces would be taken by parliament and the government, reflecting Islamabad’s cautious approach amid ongoing ceasefire violations.
The military reiterated frustration with Kabul’s failure to curb the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups. Pakistan has reported eliminating 1,667 militants this year, including Afghan nationals, and warned that the current ceasefire could collapse if militants operate from Afghan soil.
Observers note that Pakistan’s insistence on ending militant sanctuaries remains a key precondition for peace, while the Taliban have rejected accusations of harboring foreign armed groups.
Analysts warn that unless monitoring mechanisms are operationalized and mutual trust rebuilt, the fragile truce between Islamabad and Kabul could deteriorate rapidly.