Pakistan’s president claims Afghanistan has become haven for militants

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari claimed on Sunday that Afghanistan had become a safe haven for militant groups threatening regional and global peace, following a deadly attack on a Shia mosque near Islamabad.

Zardari made the remarks in a statement issued after a suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad on Friday that killed at least 36 people and wounded more than 170, according to Pakistani authorities. The Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups of operating from Afghanistan’s territory since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, allegations the Taliban deny.

In his statement, Zardari thanked world leaders for messages of condolence and said Pakistan remained committed to fighting terrorism and violent extremism.

“Pakistan has consistently maintained that terrorism is a transnational threat and no single country can confront it alone,” he said.

He warned that when militant groups are given “space, facilities or immunity” beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by civilians worldwide.

Zardari described the situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule as “deeply alarming,” saying conditions resembled – or were worse than – those before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, which were planned by al Qaeda while it was based in Afghanistan.

He also accused neighbouring countries of facilitating militant activity against Pakistan, alleging that some provided financial, technical and military support to such groups. He did not present evidence for the claims.

Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, said separately that more than 20 militant groups, including IS-K and the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), were operating from Afghan territory and organising attacks inside Pakistan.

Naqvi alleged that the mastermind of Friday’s attack was an IS-K member and an Afghan national, who had been arrested. Pakistani authorities have not publicly released further details.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also blamed what he described as Indian-backed proxy groups for recent attacks, an allegation India has denied in the past.

Taliban officials have not issued a formal response to the latest accusations. However, Taliban deputy chief minister for economic affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar said at a separate event that Afghanistan would never serve as a “safe haven” for its enemies.

Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years, particularly targeting security forces and religious minorities.