PM Shehbaz Warns Kabul Against Cross-Border Terrorism
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Afghanistan's interim authorities to prevent their territory from being used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan, while reaffirming Islamabad's desire for peaceful relations with its neighbour. He made the remarks while addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop in Islamabad.
The prime minister said Pakistan and Afghanistan share a border stretching approximately 2,000 kilometres and must coexist as neighbouring states. He maintained that constructive bilateral relations remained important but stressed that security concerns originating from across the frontier could not be ignored.
Shehbaz also focused on the development challenges confronting Balochistan, noting that its vast territory, widely dispersed population and long distances between settlements required policies different from those applied elsewhere. He said Pakistan's national progress could not be measured through the advancement of a single province and depended on all four provinces moving forward together.
Discussing federal support for Balochistan, the premier said the province's distinctive needs had been recognised through the National Finance Commission framework. He stated that Punjab had contributed around Rs150 billion to Balochistan over the years, describing the financial arrangement as an expression of solidarity within the federation rather than a favour.
Shehbaz highlighted a Rs75 billion programme designed to convert approximately 27,000 agricultural tube wells in Balochistan to solar energy. According to the prime minister, the federal government provided nearly Rs50 billion for the initiative, which is intended to reduce the impact of electricity shortages on farmers and support more reliable agricultural production.
He also referred to the planned reconstruction of the Karachi-Chaman section of the N-25 highway, a route associated with frequent and often fatal accidents. The prime minister said the government had committed around Rs300 billion to transform the corridor into an expressway and was aiming to complete the project within two years.
Turning to the security situation, Shehbaz expressed grief over the killing of District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard in an attack in Mastung. He paid tribute to civilians and security personnel who had lost their lives combating terrorism and said more than 90,000 Pakistanis had been killed during the country's prolonged struggle against militancy.
The prime minister alleged that hostile groups continued receiving support from India and called for national reflection on the resurgence of terrorism after earlier security gains. His allegations represent Pakistan's official position, while Islamabad has repeatedly called for stronger regional cooperation to prevent armed organisations from operating across international borders.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari directed authorities to accelerate development schemes in Balochistan during a meeting with provincial ministers in Karachi. He also called for closer institutional coordination to improve law and order, strengthen public welfare and expand economic activity, as the government faces pressure to deliver both security and visible development across the province.
The impact of the government's approach will depend on progress in negotiations with Kabul, effective counterterrorism coordination and the timely completion of major infrastructure projects. Future attention will focus on Afghanistan's response to Pakistan's concerns and whether the promised investments produce measurable improvements in connectivity, agriculture and public confidence in Balochistan.