80% of Suicide Bombers Enter from Afghanistan: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan has reiterated its demand for the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil, with DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claiming that 80% of suicide bombers involved in attacks in Pakistan are Afghan nationals.

In an interview with Arab News, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan’s primary demand from the Afghan Taliban regime was to stop terrorism against Pakistan from Afghan territory. He claimed that Afghan citizens were present in every group entering Pakistan from Afghanistan.

The DG ISPR said that if the Afghan Taliban authorities failed to fulfil their commitments under the Doha Agreement, Pakistan had the right to defend itself. He also said terrorists in Balochistan did not enjoy public support and were attempting to impose their ideology through violence.

According to the military spokesperson, India was sponsoring terrorism while social media operations were being conducted from outside Pakistan. He said the state’s policy was clear that there would be no negotiations with terrorists.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said Pakistan was standing with the kingdom both practically and diplomatically. He said Pakistan was prepared to provide support for the protection of Saudi Arabia and the Holy Mosques according to the requirements of the Saudi leadership.

He described Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security as unconditional and rooted in longstanding ties between the two countries. He said Pakistan was prepared to defend Saudi Arabia against any aggression and was honouring its commitments under existing defence arrangements.

The DG ISPR added that Pakistan’s political and military leadership remained in regular contact with the Saudi leadership and that Islamabad’s cooperation with Riyadh would continue.