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PAKISTAN’S MILITARY REFUTES ALLEGATIONS OF OVERNIGHT AIRSTRIKES INSIDE AFGHANISTAN
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Wednesday, 26 November, 2025 | 4 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 140 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
ISPR DG GEN CHAUDHRY EMPHASIZES g SAYS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN GOOD AND ‘WHENEVER PAKISTAN ATTACKS BAD TALIBAN, URGING AFGHAN TALIBAN TO ACT SOMEONE, IT ANNOUNCES IT’ AS A ‘LEGITIMATE STATE, NOT NON-STATE ACTORS’
AFGHAN TALIBAN SUSPEND TRADE WHILE PAKISTAN LINKS ENERGY PROJECTS AND TRADE RESUMPTION TO SECURITY
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RAWALPINDI
DG ISPR UPDATES ON GEN (R) FAIZ HAMEED COURT-MARTIAL, ADVISING AGAINST SPECULATION ABOUT IT
TTP chief planned Islamabad blast: Tarar
Staff report
IRECTOR General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Tuesday strongly refuted allegations by the Afghan Taliban on Tuesday that Pakistan had conducted overnight strikes in Afghanistan, state media and the military’s media wing reported. The statement by the DG came hours after Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, alleged on social media platform X that Pakistan had “bombed” Khost province and conducted air strikes in Kunar and Paktika provinces. Gen Ahmed Sharif Ch, speaking to local media, strongly refuted the accusations, stating, “Pakistan Army has not attacked civilians inside Afghanistan. Whenever Pakistan attacks someone, it announces it.” “Whenever Pakistan attacks someone, it announces it,” he said, according to local media. “In our view, there are no good and bad Taliban,” he said, adding that there was “no distinction” between terrorists. “The Taliban government should make decisions as a state, not as non-state actors,” said Gen Chaudhry. He also wondered how long the current set-up in Afghanistan would remain an interim one. The strike was reported the same day a deadly suicide attack on the Federal Constabulary headquarters saw three personnel embrace martyrdom and 12 sus-
ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
tain injuries. Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become strain in recent times as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains the main point of contention between the two countries. Pakistan has demanded that the rulers in Kabul take action to stop cross-border terrorism, but the Afghan Taliban deny Islamabad’s allegations of terrorists being allowed to use Afghan soil to carry out attacks in Pakistan. During a process of dialogue, which followed border clashes between the two countries in October, the two sides had met in an effort to work on mechanisms for lasting peace and stability between the two countries. On October 25, the second round of talks between the two sides began in Is-
tanbul. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar then announced that the talks “failed to bring about any workable solution”. However, mediators Turkiye and Qatar had intervened and managed to salvage the dialogue process with an October 31 joint statement released by Ankara stating that “further modalities of the implementation will be discussed and decided” during a principal-level meeting in Istanbul in November. On November 7, however, after the third round of talks, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that talks addressing cross-border terrorism were “over” and “entered an indefinite phase” as negotiators failed to bridge big differences between the two sides.
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Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday revealed that the November 11 suicide blast outside Islamabad’s Judicial Complex which killed 12 people and injured 35 was planned by banned TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud and executed through his commander Daadullah, who is currently in Afghanistan. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar detailed how four arrested facilitators remained in constant contact with TTP leaders across the border. He identified them as the bomber’s handler Sajidullah alias Sheena, Kamran Khan, Muhammad Zali and Shah Munir, adding that all four were detained within 48 hours in a joint Intelligence Bureau and CounterTerrorism Department operation. Tarar said Sajidullah met commander Daadullah multiple times between 2023 and August 2025 and coordinated the attack using an encrypted app. The minister played the suspect’s video confession, in which he admitted arranging the suicide jacket, bringing the bomber to the attack site and recruiting Zali and Khan after receiving instructions in Afghanistan.
Field Marshal Munir hails Gen Mirza’s exemplary leadership, strategic foresight RAWALPINDI
Staff report
Outgoing Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza paid a farewell visit to Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. During the meeting, the army chief commended General Mirza for his “exemplary leadership, strategic foresight, and dedicated service to the Pakistan Armed Forces,” according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “He (COAS) lauded the CJCSC’s pivotal role in enhancing tri-services synergy, strengthening joint operational preparedness, and advancing Pakistan’s national security objectives at the strategic level,” ISPR said. Furthermore, Field Marshal Munir also highlighted General Mirza’s contributions towards regional stability, military diplomacy, and the strengthening of Pakistan’s partnerships with friendly countries, as per ISPR’s statement. “Gen Mirza expressed gratitude to the COAS and the armed forces for the support extended during his career,” the statement said. “Upon arrival at GHQ, the CJCSC laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army.” CJCSC Gen Mirza meets Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu Separately, General Mirza also visited Air Headquarters in Islamabad where he was received by Pakistan Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, ISPR said. “The air chief commended the CJCSC’s exemplary services and his pivotal role in strengthening triservices synergy,” according to ISPR’s statement.
PM Shehbaz Sharif calls for deepening Pakistan-Iran ties across diverse fields ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday underscored the historic and close fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran, emphasizing the need to further broaden and deepen bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with Ali Ardeshir Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan. PM Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Iran’s principled positions on regional issues and expressed gratitude for Tehran’s solidarity with Pakistan during challenging times. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with Iran for a peaceful and prosperous future for both countries. Dr. Larijani reciprocated the sentiment, stressing the need to enhance Pakistan-Iran ties in wide-ranging and mutually beneficial areas. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on major regional and inter-
national developments. They emphasized coordinated efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the region. Dr. Larijani thanked Pakistan’s leadership and people for their steadfast support to Iran during its recent 12-day conflict and lauded Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy for peaceful dispute resolution. The prime minister conveyed his respects and good wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledging their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations. It was agreed that a high-level delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, will soon visit Iran to enhance cooperation in areas such as agriculture and regional connectivity. PM reiterates Pakistan’s proposal for joint investment company with Azerbaijan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Tuesday, reiterated Pakistan’s proposal to establish a Pakistan-Azerbaijan Joint Investment Company with equal contributions from both countries. Minister of Economy of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, who is leading a delegation, called on the prime minister and both sides conducted an extensive review of bilateral trade and investment cooperation. While noting the consistent growth in bilateral trade, they agreed on the need to accelerate targeted efforts to diversify and deepen economic exchanges, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The discussions covered a wide range of sectors including defence production, petroleum and minerals, infrastructure development, dairy and livestock, hospitality, and information technology. The prime minister also welcomed Azerbaijan’s interest in the White Oil Pipeline Project and encouraged SOCAR to explore upstream oil and gas opportunities in Pakistan. On regional connectivity, both sides underscored the importance of enhancing linkages. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, and senior government officials.
President pushes priority Pakistan-Iran rail link, ‘workable’ way forward on gas pipeline ISLAMABAD
Staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday underscored the need to prioritise a stronger Pakistan-Iran rail link to drive trade, bolster tourism, and ease Zaireen travel, reaffirming Islamabad’s push for deeper economic cooperation—including a mutually workable way forward on the IranPakistan Gas Pipeline. Meeting Dr. Ali Ardashir Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said Pakistan and Iran’s longstanding ties, rooted in history, faith and culture, were entering a phase of renewed momentum, backed by recent technical discussions on energy and high-level exchanges between the two
neighbors, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. The president said Pakistan wishes to work closely with Iran to increase the bilateral trade. On the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, the president stressed the need for a mutually workable solution, noting Pakistan’s growing energy needs. He welcomed the recent technical discussions in Islamabad and said Pakistan looked forward to continuing talks in Tehran. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries. From the Iranian side, Dr. Ali Ardashir Larijani was accompanied by Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ali Bagheri, Deputy for Foreign Policy and International Security at the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council, Alireza Bayat, Deputy for Security, and Alireza Taqavaei-Zadeh, Secretary of the Asia, Eurasia and Oceania Committee of the Council.