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AFGHAN REGIME NOW A GLOBAL THREAT, PAKISTAN WARNS AS ISPR EXPOSES TERROR–CRIME NEXUS Sunday, 30 November, 2025 | 8 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 144 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
DG ISPR SAYS ABANDONED US WEAPONS g SAYS PAKISTAN CONDUCTED OVER 67,000 IBOS FUELING REGIONAL MILITANCY THIS YEAR, KILLED NEARLY 1,900 TERRORISTS
SMUGGLING CRACKDOWN, CROSS BORDER TERROR AND ‘FITNA AL-KHAWARIJ’ NETWORK UNDER SPOTLIGHT: DGISPR
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ISLAMABAD SEEKS VERIFIABLE MECHANISM WITH KABUL, SAYS BLOODSHED AND TRADE ‘CANNOT COEXIST’: DGISPR
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HE Director-General of InterServices Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has warned that the Afghan Taliban regime now poses a threat not only to Pakistan but to regional and global security — a situation exacerbated by the abandonment of $7.2 billion worth of American military equipment during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Speaking to senior journalists in a detailed briefing on national security, Lt Gen Chaudhry outlined the scale of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations and criticised Kabul’s refusal to curb crossborder attacks or dismantle militant sanctuaries operating on Afghan soil. He said the Afghan Taliban’s continued patronage of terrorist outfits has created an increasingly dangerous environment for the entire region.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistani security forces have conducted 4,910 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) since November 4, 2025, eliminating 206 terrorists. Overall, he added, a total of 67,023 IBOs have been carried out nationwide this year, resulting in the deaths
of 1,873 terrorists — 136 of whom were identified as Afghan nationals. Discussing the challenges of policing the Pak-Afghan border, he underscored the scale and complexity of the terrain, especially the 1,229-kilometre stretch in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that contains 20
crossing points. He said the porous border continues to be exploited by militants sneaking into Pakistan with the apparent blessing of authorities in Kabul. A key focus of the briefing was what the DG ISPR described as a “very strong political–terror–crime nexus” operating across the frontier. He said this network, supported by the “Fitna al-Khawarij,” uses millions of non-custom-paid vehicles freely circulating in Pakistan to conduct suicide attacks. He questioned why such vehicles continue to roam unchecked, pointing to the deep link between illegal smuggling and terror financing. Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that Pakistan’s crackdown on Iranian diesel smuggling has dramatically reduced the daily smuggled volume from 20.5 million litres to 2.7 million litres. He added that proceeds from this illicit trade had been funding groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Youth Council (BYC).
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Zardari emphasizes cohesive strategy to confront contemporary security challenges ISLAMABAD
stAff report
President Asif Ali Zardari stressed on Saturday the critical need for informed leadership, national unity, and integrated policy-making to effectively address Pakistan’s current security threats during a visit to the National Defence University (NDU). The President was addressing the concluding ceremony of the 27th National Security Workshop (NSW-27), a
high-level program that brought together a diverse group of parliamentarians, senior civil and military officials, and delegates from academia and civil society. The workshop’s curriculum was centered on deepening the participants” understanding of the intricate interplay between various elements of national power, framed within the concept of Comprehensive National Security. In his speech, President Zardari congratulated the attendees on the successful
completion of the course. He commended their dedication to strengthening awareness of national security imperatives. The National Security Workshop at NDU is regarded as one of Pakistan’s foremost platforms for cultivating nationallevel dialogue, bolstering institutional capacity, and promoting a whole-of-nation approach to security matters. Following his address, the President awarded graduation certificates to the participants.
Finland to shut down embassy in Pakistan over ‘operational and strategic’ reasons ISLAMABAD Agencies
Finland has announced it will be shutting down its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar in 2026, citing “operational and strategic reasons” linked to shifting political dynamics in the three countries and their limited commercial and economic engagement with Helsinki, it emerged on Saturday. “The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to close the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon in 2026,” the Finnish foreign minister said in a press release issued on Friday. “The embassies will be closed for operational and strategic reasons, which are linked to changes in the countries’ political situation and their limited commercial and economic relations with Finland,” the statement added. “Decisions on closures are made by a decree of the President of the Republic,” it said. The ministry stated that preparations to close the embassies in the three countries have “already started” and added the missions would be closed during 2026. The move comes as part of Finland’s “strategic review” of its network of missions. It takes into account Finland’s foreign and security policy interests and the needs of Finland’s export promotion activities, the statement read. “The aim is to concentrate resources on countries that are strategically important to Finland,” it added. “We will systematically develop Finland’s network of missions abroad to meet future challenges,” Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen was quoted as saying. “Our operating environment is changing rapidly. The changes to be made will help us to build a stronger and more competitive Finland and to manage Finland’s external relations in accordance with our priorities,” she said. The country had shut down its operations in Pakistan in 2012 as well, forced by budgetary constraints, but the mission was later reopened in 2022.
Pakistan ready to join Gaza peacekeeping, but no role in Hamas disarmament: DPM Dar ISLAMABAD
sAleem JAdoon
Pakistan has expressed its readiness to contribute troops to the Gaza International Stabilisation Force (ISF), while firmly distancing itself from any role in disarming Hamas, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FM Dar said Pakistan’s participation would be guided strictly by a peacekeeping mandate, not enforcement or disarmament operations. “We are not ready for that. This is not our job, but of the Palestinian law enforcement agencies. Our job is peacekeeping, not peace enforcement. We are definitely ready to contribute to the force—the prime minister has in
principle already announced after consultation with the field marshal that we will contribute — but this decision cannot be taken until it is decided what its mandate and terms of reference (TOR) will be,” he said. The announcement underscores Islamabad’s commitment to peacekeeping and humanitarian stabilisation in Gaza, even as it navigates a complex regional security landscape and balances relations with global partners. Pakistan’s Role in the Gaza Peace Effort The ISF is a key component of the United States-brokered Gaza Peace Agreement, which aims to stabilise the Palestinian enclave following years of conflict. Composed mainly of troops from Muslim-majority countries, the force has been
authorised by the UN Security Council (UNSC) as part of a broader effort to rebuild Gaza and lay the groundwork for long-term peace. According to officials close to the deliberations, discussions within the federal government and military establishment are at an “advanced stage,” with Islamabad showing inclination to participate. FM Dar noted that Indonesia has offered 20,000 troops, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also indicated “in principle” support for Pakistan’s contribution. The UNSC resolution, drafted by the United States, received 13 affirmative votes, including Pakistan’s, while Russia and China abstained. Hamas, however, has rejected the resolution, particularly objecting to any international force
tasked with disarmament of Palestinian resistance groups. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasised that the ISF could only stabilise the region under a clear UN-consistent mandate, adding that disarmament must be achieved through a negotiated political process under a unified Palestinian Authority. The resolution also outlines the establishment of a transitional Board of Peace to oversee reconstruction, economic recovery, and eventual demilitarisation of Gaza. Clarifying Pakistan’s Position on Hamas Deputy PM Dar reiterated that Pakistan will not engage in disarming Hamas.
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Egyptian FM arrives on 2-day visit to place bilateral ties on broader trajectory: FO ISLAMABAD
stAff report
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty on Saturday arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO). The FO statement said that Egyptian FM Abdelatty was undertaking the visit following an invitation by Deputy PM Dar.
“The visit reflects the longstanding and cordial relations between Pakistan and Egypt, grounded in common faith, cultural affinity, and shared perspectives on regional and international issues,” it said. The FO further stated that the visit “will contribute to further strengthening the strategic direction of Pakistan–Egypt relations and placing them on a broader trajectory, with a focus on political, economic, defence, cultural, and people-to-people cooperation”.