Pakistan accuses external forces of destabilising role in Afghan border tensions

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has said that recent escalations along the Afghan-Pakistani border were driven by external forces seeking to destabilise Pakistan through intelligence operations, funding and military advice.

Speaking in an interview with TASS, Tirmizi alleged that Afghanistan has been used by “certain forces” for destabilising activities targeting Pakistan.

“Unfortunately, Afghanistan has been used by certain forces to destabilize Pakistan—through intelligence activities, funding, and military consultations. But they must understand that Pakistan is a country with a population of 250 million people, a standing army of nearly 1 million, and it is a nuclear power. It is impossible to destabiliыe a country like Pakistan through terrorism.[...] Yes [one could say that the conflict is effectively over]. We never wanted to carry out these strikes against Afghanistan—a country with which we share a border of about 2,640 km,” he said.

The diplomat emphasised the deep ethnic and cultural ties between the two countries, noting that Pashtuns form the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and the second-largest in Pakistan, creating strong cross-border connections.

He expressed hope for improved bilateral relations, expanded trade, and greater cooperation in the future, while stating that Pakistan had been forced to act militarily to protect its citizens and security personnel.

Tirmizi also referred to regional connectivity projects, including the proposed “North-South” transport corridor supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Afghanistan is the only country working against this. If Afghanistan stabilizes, road, rail, and other connections will be established between Russia, Central Asia, and Pakistan—and even India,” he said.

He further claimed that instability in Afghanistan is influenced by “non-regional forces” that, according to him, do not support stability in Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, or Russia.

By Sabina Mammadli