Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the Taliban to take “immediate and effective action” to dismantle terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil, which he said continue to orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan.
In a phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Sharif said that while Pakistan has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with the Taliban to facilitate peace talks in Doha, it expects concrete action against groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He described those groups as “agents of chaos” and alleged they are backed by foreign actors.
“Pakistan continues to face cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan,” Sharif said, according to a statement posted on X. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace and stability in the region but warned that its patience is being tested.
Prime Minister Anwar expressed concern over the escalating tensions along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border and offered Malaysia’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and regional stability.
In a separate phone call, Taliban chief minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund also spoke with the Malaysian leader. According to a statement from the Taliban, Akhund denied initiating the conflict and said Pakistan was the first to violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty through airstrikes.
“We are not in favor of war,” Akhund was quoted as saying, adding that Taliban officials were “eagerly awaiting the outcome” of ongoing peace talks in Doha, led by Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid.
Anwar Ibrahim, according to the Taliban readout, stressed the importance of diplomacy and said Malaysia was ready to help mediate the crisis.
The recent statements follow a ceasefire agreement signed in Doha between Taliban and Pakistani defense officials after days of deadly cross-border clashes. The talks were brokered by Qatar and Turkey.
Under the deal, both sides pledged to halt hostilities and create joint technical committees to oversee implementation. They also committed to holding follow-up meetings to monitor compliance and prevent future violations.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry described the agreement as a critical step toward building trust and ensuring long-term peace in the region. UN figures show that at least 37 civilians were killed and 425 wounded in the border regions of Afghanistan over the past week amid escalating violence — making the ceasefire a vital but fragile development.
