MT Desk: When the world turned away, Pakistan stood firmly with Afghanistan—hosting six million refugees since 1979 out of pure humanitarian spirit, without signing the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol. Even today, second and third generations of Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan. Islamabad built hospitals, bridges and highways in Afghanistan, extended cooperation in electricity and telecom sectors and offered four thousand scholarships along with technical and financial assistance in agriculture, banking, railways, military and diplomacy. Every day, up to 10,000 Afghans receive medical treatment in Pakistan, while 1,000 visas are issued daily. Pakistan remains a major trade partner and benefactor of Afghanistan, yet in return, it faces terrorism, border attacks, anti-Pakistan conspiracies under Indian influence and hateful rhetoric emanating from Afghan soil—an unfortunate betrayal of the brotherhood that once united both nations.
Afghanistan is not merely a neighbouring country for Pakistan; both share deep historical, civilizational, cultural and Islamic ideological ties. I wish to ask Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who represents the Islamic Emirate: what about his respected teacher, Mullah Omar, the destroyer of idols who shattered the Buddha statues in Bamiyan? Today, the descendants of those idol-breakers sit in the laps of those they once called infidels and polytheists. They have buried the ideology of “Afghan remains! The highlands remain!” while embracing those who once oppressed their faith.
The Pakistan Army has acted under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, protecting its sovereignty against terrorism. Pakistan’s fight is not with the Afghan people but with terrorists. These elements are neither Afghan nor Pakistani, nor are they linked to Islam—they are terrorists and their facilitators are even greater ones. The Afghan people must now decide whether they wish to stand with terrorists’ sponsors or with truth and peace. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, where was India? It supported the Soviet Union. When the United States invaded, India supported Washington. Afghans must recognize who their friends are and who their foes have always been.
Afghan soil continues to be exploited by banned organizations despite Pakistan’s repeated warnings and the provision of evidence. The Kabul government must realize that tolerating or supporting such groups will push the entire region toward renewed chaos. If Afghanistan’s rulers fail to correct their course and resist foreign manipulation, they risk isolating their nation once again. Pakistan’s patience, rooted in brotherhood and goodwill, should not be mistaken for weakness. For over four decades, Pakistan has been a steadfast friend to Afghanistan, sacrificing lives, resources and diplomatic capital for its stability. Yet today, Afghanistan appears caught in India’s conspiracy—betraying not Pakistan, but its own history, faith and future.