The tolerance for cross-border terrorism has been exhausted. The president

President Asif Ali Zardari stated that Pakistan’s recent measures are based on its intrinsic right to protect its citizens from terrorism originating from beyond its borders, following numerous unheeded warnings.

In his message dated 8 February 2026, the President reminded the international community that Pakistan has warned that permitting terrorist groups to operate with space, facilitation, or impunity beyond national borders results in consequences for innocent populations globally. He also asserted that Pakistan strongly objects to the circumstances in Afghanistan, where the Taliban administration has established conditions akin to or more severe than those preceding 9/11.

President Zardari expressed profound concern regarding the de facto authorities in Kabul, a regime unrecognized by the United Nations, for their ongoing allowance of terrorist factions to operate from Afghan territory, contravening their commitments under the Doha Accord, in which they vowed that Afghan land would not be utilized against any nation.

He observed that the latest report from the United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has reaffirmed Pakistan’s enduring stance. The report indicates: “Numerous Member States consistently report the presence of ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also referred to as the Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, among others, in Afghanistan.” Certain factions have utilized or are still utilizing Afghanistan to strategize and orchestrate external assaults.

The President noted that the United Nations’ assessment clearly indicates that the presence and operations of these organizations constitute significant risks to neighboring nations, including Pakistan. He stated that it is unfortunate that, despite explicit warnings and ongoing engagement, the Afghan government did not implement credible and verifiable measures against these elements.

He stated that Pakistan demonstrated caution for an extended duration and limited its response to terrorist enclaves situated near the border regions. He cautioned that Pakistan is acutely aware of the whereabouts of the planners, facilitators, and sponsors of violence. If violence persists in Pakistan, those accountable will not evade consequences.

President Zardari reiterated that Pakistan aspires for peace, stability, and collaborative relations with all neighboring countries. He asserted that peace cannot be founded on denial, deceit, or passivity about terrorism. The safeguarding of Pakistani lives is of utmost importance and non-negotiable, he stated.