ISLAMABAD: Citizens in different parts of Pakistan have strongly rejected what they described as misleading propaganda by the Afghan Taliban against the Pakistan Army, voicing support for Islamabad’s demand that militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil be dismantled and those involved in terrorism be handed over.
Public opinion has grown sharper as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent days, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Afghan Taliban authorities of allowing armed groups to operate from across the border. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said earlier this year that its actions were taken in self-defence and warned that any attempt to endanger the lives of Pakistani citizens would draw a measured but firm response.
Residents said militant networks based in Afghanistan had repeatedly targeted innocent people inside Pakistan, including attacks on civilians and places of worship. Many argued that no country could remain silent if armed groups were allegedly being facilitated from across its borders and then sent to carry out violence on its territory.
They maintained that Pakistan’s security response was aimed at protecting its citizens from terrorism and stopping the flow of weapons and explosives allegedly reaching hostile groups. In recent statements, Pakistani officials have dismissed Afghan Taliban accusations over cross-border strikes and insisted that the targets were militant or military-linked sites rather than civilian facilities.
Several citizens said Pakistan had every right to act against any infrastructure used to support attacks on its soil. They stressed that if hideouts, ammunition depots or training centres were being used to plan or facilitate violence against Pakistani civilians, then action against such sites was justified under the country’s security doctrine.
People also urged the Afghan Taliban government not to provide refuge to militants wanted by Pakistan. They said those involved in attacks should be arrested and handed over, warning that failure to address these concerns would deepen instability in the region.
The latest exchange of accusations comes amid a broader deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan ties. Pakistan has accused the Taliban administration of harboring militants, while Kabul has denied the allegations and levelled its own claims against Islamabad. Independent reporting this week has highlighted sharply competing narratives from both sides over recent cross-border strikes and drone attacks, underscoring the seriousness of the current standoff.
Citizens further said terrorism served no national interest and only brought death, fear and long-term instability to the region. They called for practical steps to reduce tensions, eliminate militant safe havens and restore peace through firm action against violent groups.
Many also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s defence capability, saying the country was fully capable of protecting its sovereignty and responding to external threats. At the same time, they stressed that lasting peace would only be possible when terrorism was no longer used as a tool of pressure or proxy conflict in the region.
