ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday refuted what it said were “one-sided remarks, which are devoid of a deeper understanding of the situation along the Afghan border,” by the British Special Representative for Afghanistan Richard Lindsay, regarding developments along the Pak-Afghan border.
“Such unwarranted remarks, without linking them to the root cause of terrorism, do not offer a balanced and objective perspective. We urge a better understanding of regional dynamics, Pakistan’s principled stance, as well as the unparalleled sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” said the Foreign Office.
It was directly responding to a Twitter statement by Lindsay who said, “Concerned by further violence along Afghanistan-Pakistan border, including strikes in Kunar. All steps must be taken to protect civilians & avoid further escalation. I continue to urge dialogue & restraint, including in meetings in Afghanistan this week.”
Lindsay was commenting on another Twitter post by the UNAMA about alleged casualties of civilians in Friday’s strikes on areas of Asadabad, eastern Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office maintained, “Cross border aggression and terrorist infiltration attempts from the Afghan side have continued unabated despite Pakistan’s goodwill gesture of a temporary pause, announced in March 2026. Since then indiscriminate and unprovoked cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban, and terrorist activities by Afghan Taliban-supported Indian proxies inside Pakistan, have resulted in the shahadat of fifty-two civilians and eighty-four injuries.”
It pointed out that Pakistan, while exercising restraint, has responded effectively by precisely targeting the Afghan Taliban posts and terrorist support infrastructure, while also thwarting multiple infiltration attempts from the Afghan side. Afghan claims of civilian casualties due to Pakistan’s responses lack evidential credibility.
Earlier, Tahir Andrabi, Spokesperson at the Foreign Office, pointed out that terrorism from inside Afghanistan poses a serious threat to the regional peace and stability.
“Fact remains that Afghanistan is a safe haven for TTP/Fitnah Al Khawaraj, Fitnah Al Hind and their affiliates – under the watch of and facilitation of the Afghan Taliban regime. This has been widely recognised by regional countries, well corroborated by international reports, including the reports of UN Security Council. So, we obviously dismiss any propaganda done by the Afghan authorities in this regard,” he said.
Meanwhile, earlier Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
“The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and exchanged views on its wider economic implications. DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote constructive engagement and diplomacy in support of peace and stability in the region and beyond,” said a statement from his office.
Minister Sheikh Jarrah commended Pakistan’s sincere efforts aimed at fostering lasting peace and security for the Ummah as well as the wider international community, while both sides reaffirmed the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kuwait and agreed to remain in close contact.
