The United States has openly recognized Pakistan’s serious worries about terrorist attacks coming from Afghanistan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made these remarks on Saturday after the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta. He clearly stated that Washington does not want Pakistan to suffer from terrorism.
According to Rubio, Pakistan is deeply concerned that terrorist groups are using Afghan territory to launch attacks. Officials in Islamabad believe the Afghan Taliban have not done enough to stop these groups. “Pakistan is concerned about terrorist attacks that are being sponsored from the territory of Afghanistan. They feel that the Taliban is not doing enough to constrain those attacks, and they’ve taken action against it,” Rubio said. He added that the US has heard these concerns and does not want Pakistan targeted by terrorism.
These comments came at a time when Pakistan has again strongly criticized the Afghan Taliban government. On Saturday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected statements made by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid. The ministry accused the Taliban leadership of trying to shift blame onto Pakistan while ignoring the real problem. That problem, according to Islamabad, is terrorism coming from Afghan soil.
The ministry made it clear that Pakistan will not accept terrorist safe havens across the border. It said Islamabad reserves the right to take all necessary steps under international law to protect its national security. Officials described the Taliban regime’s continued refusal to act against terrorism as the biggest obstacle to better relations. They stressed that Pakistan’s security cannot be held hostage to inaction, excuses, or wrong priorities from Kabul.
Pakistan has repeatedly asked the Afghan Taliban to take clear and verifiable action against militant groups, especially the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Pakistani authorities say these groups operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban authorities have denied these claims and say they do not allow militants to use Afghanistan as a base for attacks against Pakistan.
The latest exchange shows how tense the relationship remains. While the US has now publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s position, the core issue of cross-border terrorism continues to block any real progress between Islamabad and Kabul.
