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PAKISTAN URGES KABUL TO ELIMINATE TERRORISTS TO RESTORE REGIONAL TRUST Monday, 15 December, 2025 | 22 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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SPECIAL ENVOY MOHAMMAD SADIQ ADDRESSES IRAN-HOSTED MEETING OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM SIX COUNTRIES
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IRAN HAD INVITED TALIBAN TO MEETING BUT THEY REMAINED ABSENT FROM HIGH-LEVEL DISCUSSIONS ISLAMABAD
staff RepoRt
AKISTAN’S Special Envoy on Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq on Sunday urged the de facto rulers in Kabul to rid Afghan soil of all forms of terrorism, stressing that such a step was essential to restore regional confidence and enable meaningful engagement with Afghanistan. Addressing a high-level regional meeting hosted by Iran in Tehran, Sadiq said eliminating terrorist sanctuaries would not only ease neighbours’ security concerns but also help Afghanistan realise its economic and connectivity potential after decades of conflict. Sadiq, who is Pakistan’s special representative to Afghanistan, was part of the meeting on Afghan affairs attended by representatives from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China and
Russia, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. Iran had also invited the Taliban government, but it did not attend, a Taliban spokesman said. Special representatives for Afghan affairs from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia attended the meeting. Ambassador Sadiq wrote on X that he also stressed that the people of Afghanistan had already suffered enough and deserved better. “It is, therefore, imperative that the current de facto rulers take steps to ameliorate their suffering. And the foremost step in this regard would be to rid their soil indiscriminately of all types of terrorists,” he said. Sadiq said he made it clear that only an Afghanistan that does not harbour terrorists would inspire confidence in neighbouring and regional countries to engage meaningfully with Kabul, which could help unlock the country’s vast economic
RAWALPINDI
Security forces neutralized 13 Indian proxy terrorists in fire exchange during two separate intelligence-based operations conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohmand and Bannu districts, according to the military’s media wing on Sunday. In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “On 12-13 December 2025, thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.” Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It said that the first intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out on the reported presence of the terrorists in KP’s Mohmand district. “During the conduct of [the] operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij’s location, and after an intense fire exchange, seven khwarij were sent to hell.” It added that the second IBO was conducted in the province’s Bannu district, where security forces neutralised six more terrorists. “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as a relentless counterterrorism campaign under [the] vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement said.
positively respond,” he told Dawn late on Sunday. He said Pakistan wanted Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours to adopt a joint approach on counter-terrorism, inclusivity, girls’ education, and human and women’s rights in Afghanistan.
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hammad Sadiq, along with Ambassador to Kabul Obaid Nizamani. The discussions come amid warnings from senior US intelligence officials about alleged links between some Afghan nationals residing in the United States and terrorist networks. The Director of US National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, stated that over 2,000 Afghan nationals in the US are either suspected militants or have affiliations with extremist groups, posing potential risks to national and global security. Additional information from the National Counterterrorism Center indicated that nearly 18,000 Afghan nationals who entered the US during the Biden administration were flagged for suspected ties to militant organizations.
News Desk
Pakistan voiced its concerns over terrorism emanating from Afghanistan during a regional meeting of special representatives from Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries and Russia, held in Tehran. Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran, Mudassar Tipu, said Islamabad highlighted the seriousness of threats originating from Afghanistan and emphasized the need for prompt and coordinated action to address them. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering regional peace, stability, and development, urging all stakeholders to share responsibility in ensuring long-term security. The Tehran session was inaugurated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who underscored the regional security challenges and stressed the importance of joint strategies to tackle them. Pakistan was represented by Special Representative for Afghanistan Mo-
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, vowing to attack security forces, police, and law enforcement personnel. Last month, security forces eliminated 22 terrorists during an operation in the Bannu district. PM SHEHBAZ, PRESIDENT ZARDARI LAUDS FORCES FOR SUCCESSFUL IBOS Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to security forces for carrying out two successful counterterrorism operations against terrorists of Fitna al Khawarij in Mohmand and Bannu districts. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Press Wing, the premier commended the security forces for eliminating 13 terrorists during the separate operations. He lauded their professionalism, bravery, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country. PM Shehbaz said that under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, the security forces are achieving major successes in the ongoing war against terrorism. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue decisive action against terrorist elements. The prime minister further stated that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. He emphasized that the people of Pakistan are united and fully determined to eradicate terrorism in all its forms from the country. Meanwhile, in a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for eliminating terrorists operating under Indian patronage in K-P. He also commended the security forces and the Balochistan Police for a successful operation against terrorists in Balochistan.
CLARIFIES 11 BENCHMARKS UNDER $7B EFF FOLLOW EXISTING POLICY TRAJECTORY, SUPPORTING $1.2B DISBURSEMENT PROFIT
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Pakistan’s finance ministry on Sunday clarified that the 11 targets recently described as “new conditions” under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility were part of a phased, ongoing reform agenda, not abrupt policy demands. The statement followed IMF documents showing Pakistan’s commitment to 11 structural benchmarks, along with two prior actions, which allowed completion of the second EFF review and approval by the IMF Executive Board, releasing $1.2 billion on December 9. The ministry said the measures reflected continuity, sequencing and deepening of reforms already agreed under the $7 billion pro-
gramme. Each review of the EFF builds on previous actions, it said, with structural reforms implemented gradually to achieve medium-term policy objectives. It added that the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) finalised after the second review supplemented the first review and largely incorporated initiatives already undertaken or initiated by the government. The IMF assessed these actions as contributing to programme goals rather than imposing new conditions externally. On specific reforms, the ministry said civil servants’ asset declarations had been part of the EFF since May 2024, with the current benchmark representing the second step after legislative amendments. Commitments to strengthen the National Accountability Bureau and coordinate with provincial
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Regional security dialogue focuses on Afghan-origin terrorism
Finance Ministry says IMF targets are phased reforms, not new conditions
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SAYS ONLY TERROR-FREE AFGHANISTAN CAN UNLOCK ECONOMIC POTENTIAL, SEEKING JOINT REGIONAL APPROACH ON SECURITY, RIGHTS AND EDUCATION
and connectivity potential. Pakistan’s former ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Khan said Islamabad had initiated engagement with the Taliban with the understanding that collective decisions, including the possibility of Taliban recognition, would be taken by regional stakeholders. “The grouping could not become an effective forum as the Taliban did not
13 Indian proxy terrorists neutralized in Mohmand and Bannu IBOs: ISPR staff RepoRt
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anti-corruption bodies were continuations of prior actions. Similarly, empowering provincial anti-corruption establishments through financial intelligence aligned with the AML/CFT agenda, which has been integral to the EFF since inception. The ministry highlighted remittance reforms, noting inflows rose 26 percent year-on-year from FY24 to FY25, with a further 9.3 percent increase projected in FY26. Efforts to remove bottlenecks in cross-border payments in coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan were incorporated into the MEFP. An IMF staff report from May 2025 recommended a study to expand the local currency bond market, now formalised as a structural benchmark.
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These disclosures have reignited debates over refugee screening procedures, immigration policies, and national security safeguards, with several countries already tightening regulations on Afghan entrants due to security concerns.
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PSL 2026 set for March 26–May 3 as PCB spells plan at New York Roadshow
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
staff RepoRt
The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also announcing that the auction for two proposed new franchises will take place on January 8, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the league and boost its global profile. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement during an investor roadshow in New York, aimed at attracting commercial interest and signaling a potential expansion from six to eight teams. Addressing attendees, Naqvi said the PCB had taken administrative control of Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium and plans to begin renovation work ahead of the PSL, although he cautioned that completion before the tournament was not guaranteed. He also noted that the deadline for submission of franchise bids had been extended to December 22 due to strong investor interest. As part of its overseas promotional campaign, the PSL trophy was displayed at Times Square on Sunday, attracting Pakistan cricket fans abroad and enabling interactions with current players, including Shan Masood, former stars Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja, and singer Ali Zafar, who has previously been associated with PSL anthems. The New York event follows a similar stop at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, aimed at enhancing the league’s commercial value and visibility in international markets. Launched in 2016, the PSL has grown into Pakistan’s flagship T20 competition, initially staged entirely overseas before returning to home venues in phases. While the league has attracted international players and broadcasters, scheduling challenges remain due to Pakistan’s packed international calendar and competition from other T20 leagues.