Rawalpindi, November 3: Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has categorically denied allegations that Pakistan has permitted the United States to use its territory for drone strikes or military operations inside Afghanistan, calling such claims “baseless Afghan propaganda.”
In a detailed briefing to senior journalists, the Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) said that reports circulating in Afghan and Indian media suggesting that U.S. drones were launched from Pakistani soil are entirely false and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
“Pakistan has not granted the U.S. permission to carry out any attack from its soil. We have no agreement—formal or informal—with Washington that would allow drone operations from Pakistan into Afghanistan,” General Chaudhry stated firmly.
He clarified that Pakistan’s airspace and territory have not been used for any foreign military strike. “The allegations are being spread jointly by Afghan and Indian media outlets through fake videos and fabricated narratives designed to malign Pakistan internationally,” he said.
Root Cause Lies in the Taliban’s Failure to Honor the Doha Agreement
Addressing the broader regional security context, the DG ISPR said that the current tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban stem from the Taliban’s non-compliance with the Doha peace accord, which was signed between the Taliban and the United States in 2020.
“The problem originates from the Taliban leadership’s failure to implement the commitments they made in Doha. We have always believed in peaceful dialogue and have continued to engage Afghan authorities to prevent cross-border terrorism,” he said.
General Chaudhry explained that during both the Doha and Istanbul talks, the main agenda item was the cessation of cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghan soil into Pakistan. “Pakistan’s position has been clear and consistent — Afghanistan must ensure that its territory is not used by terrorist organizations, particularly the TTP, against Pakistan,” he added.
Taliban’s Broken Promises and Regional Implications
According to the DG ISPR, under the Doha Agreement, the Taliban had agreed with the U.S. that once they took power, they would convene a Loya Jirga (grand council) to form a representative government in Afghanistan. However, he said, the Taliban failed to honor that commitment, leading to governance and security challenges that have destabilized the region.
“The Taliban promised to form an inclusive political setup through a Loya Jirga, but they never fulfilled that pledge. Today’s instability in Afghanistan and the rise of cross-border militancy are direct consequences of that failure,” General Chaudhry observed.
He added that Pakistan does not seek confrontation with the Afghan government but wants cooperation based on mutual respect. “We still wish to resolve all issues through dialogue, but we cannot remain silent if terrorism continues to emanate from Afghan territory,” he said.
Pakistan’s Security Preparedness and Regional Posture
The DG ISPR reaffirmed that the Pakistan Armed Forces are fully alert and prepared to defend the country’s borders against any threat. “Pakistan’s national security apparatus is vigilant. Our intelligence and defense forces are maintaining high operational readiness to thwart any hostile designs, whether from state or non-state actors,” he declared.
He stressed that Pakistan has always advocated for regional peace and stability, and despite provocations, remains committed to working with all neighboring countries for collective security. However, he warned that Pakistan will not tolerate terrorist sanctuaries or safe havens across the border that threaten its sovereignty.
“We want a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. But Afghanistan must also act responsibly and ensure its territory is not used for anti-Pakistan activities,” General Chaudhry emphasized.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the DG ISPR reiterated that Pakistan’s position is unambiguous — it has not allowed the U.S. to use its soil for operations in Afghanistan, nor will it do so in the future. He urged the Afghan authorities and media to refrain from spreading misinformation and instead focus on fulfilling the commitments made under international agreements.
