Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday delivered a stern message to Afghanistan, urging the country to choose between supporting terrorists or standing with Pakistan.

Reiterating his resolve to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan, the premier warned there would be zero tolerance for ambiguity on this critical issue.

Addressing a high-level meeting on terrorism in Bannu alongside Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, PM Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan would respond firmly to terrorism and those facilitating Indian proxies. “Anyone speaking in favour of foreign elements or acting as their facilitator will be treated as their instrument and answered in the language they understand,” he said.

Highlighting security concerns, the prime minister stated that Afghan nationals have been involved in terrorist incidents within Pakistan. He added that illegal Afghan residents would soon be expelled, noting that Pakistan has hosted Afghans for more than four decades—from the Soviet invasion to the 2021 Taliban takeover. While some refugees were born and raised in Pakistan, many others have been awaiting relocation to third countries.

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The government, citing an increase in militant attacks and insurgent campaigns, initiated a crackdown in 2023, forcing more than 1.2 million Afghans to return, including over 443,000 this year alone, according to United Nations data.

PM Shehbaz expressed that the people, the state, and Pakistan’s armed forces stand united like a fortified wall against Indian proxies. He dismissed politics and misleading narratives, insisting that the nation remains steadfast in its fight against terrorism.

During his visit, the premier also visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Bannu to inquire about injured security personnel. The Peshawar Corps Commander briefed him on the regional security situation, highlighting that masterminds and facilitators of terrorism are reportedly based in Afghanistan with support from India.