Zardari Warns Afghanistan Has Slipped Into Pre-9/11 Conditions
Islamabad
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday warned that Afghanistan under Taliban rule has descended into conditions “similar to or worse than pre-9/11,” linking recent deadly attacks in Islamabad and Balochistan to militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
He also accused neighbouring countries, including India, of enabling terrorism by allowing militant groups to operate against Pakistan, either through facilitation or direct support.
Condemnation of Recent Attacks
In a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Zardari thanked world leaders and international organisations for expressing solidarity with Pakistan following Friday’s bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad, which killed dozens of people. He also referred to coordinated militant assaults across several towns and cities in Balochistan.
He said the attacks highlighted the growing threat posed by terrorist organisations based beyond Pakistan’s borders.
Call for Global Action
President Zardari warned that militant groups operating from Afghan soil pose serious dangers not only to Pakistan but also to regional and global peace. He urged the international community to take collective action to counter terrorism and the violent ideology behind it.
“Pakistan strongly objects to the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar to or worse than pre-9/11,” the statement quoted him as saying. He recalled that unchecked terrorist activity before 2001 ultimately led to the September 11 attacks.
Accusations Against Neighbouring States
The president said Pakistan has long maintained that no country can defeat terrorism on its own. He stressed that when militant groups receive space, protection, or impunity across borders, innocent civilians pay the price.
Within this context, he said some neighbouring states had “regrettably become partners in crime” by allowing militants to target Pakistan from their territory. He added that certain countries had provided financial, technical, and even military assistance to these groups.
Zardari also accused Pakistan’s eastern neighbour of supporting the Taliban regime, warning that such actions threaten regional and global stability.
Gratitude for International Support
The president expressed deep appreciation for the messages of sympathy and support received from world leaders, governments, and international organisations. He said the global response had comforted the Pakistani people and strengthened families grieving their losses.
“These expressions of solidarity reaffirm that the fight against terrorism is a shared global responsibility,” he said.
Pakistan’s Resolve Against Terrorism
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace, Zardari said the country would continue working closely with international partners to eliminate terrorism in all its forms. He underlined Pakistan’s longstanding position that Afghan territory has repeatedly been used by militant groups to launch attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces.
Referring to the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, he said the comparison served as a warning of the dangers emerging from unchecked militancy.
Meanwhile, as investigations into the Islamabad bombing continue, authorities have tightened security in major cities, while intelligence agencies pursue leads linked to cross-border networks.
President Zardari said international solidarity had reinforced Pakistan’s determination to confront terrorism and thanked the global community for its compassion during a difficult period.
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PRESS UPDATE