Islamabad/Karachi, January 12, 2026: The federal government on Monday strongly criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over his remarks questioning claims that Afghanistan’s soil is being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, calling the statement irresponsible and damaging to the national narrative on security.
The reaction followed a media interaction in Karachi on Sunday night, during which Afridi said the state should provide evidence to support allegations that militants were operating from Afghan territory. He also argued that other countries sharing borders with Afghanistan did not raise similar concerns. The clip was later shared by state broadcaster PTV on social media.
Responding on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Afridi was effectively speaking as Afghanistan’s “spokesperson,” terming the remarks “condemnable and shameful.” Tarar maintained that there was “irrefutable evidence” of the Afghan Taliban regime’s support for terrorists and of Afghan soil being used for attacks in Pakistan, adding that the nation had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking separately in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of consistently creating uncertainty on national security issues. He alleged that the party avoided clearly identifying terrorists and repeatedly questioned established facts, thereby spreading doubt among the public.
Chaudhry said multiple countries had acknowledged that Afghan soil was being used for cross-border terrorism and criticized the KP chief minister for repeating demands for evidence. He further accused the PTI of opposing decisive action against militants and illegal foreign nationals, preferring negotiations over enforcement.
The state minister warned that no public office-holder, regardless of position, would be allowed to challenge the national narrative on terrorism or show sympathy toward militant groups. He stressed that there would be “no softness” on the issue, adding that sympathizers would be treated as facilitators of terrorism.
Meanwhile, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described Afridi’s remarks as “upsetting,” noting that KP had suffered the highest number of terrorist incidents. In a video statement, he said Pakistan had repeatedly raised the issue with Afghan authorities during talks in Doha and Istanbul, where Kabul did not deny cross-border terrorism but cited a lack of control.
He added that Pakistan had presented evidence, including footage, on international forums showing militants crossing from Afghanistan. Reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing support for Afghan refugees, he said national security and the safety of citizens remained paramount and would be ensured under all circumstances.
The statements reflect growing tension between the federal government and the KP administration over counterterrorism policy, as militant violence continues to claim lives, particularly in the border regions.
