Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has underscored Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security, asserting that the government will prevent terrorists from using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan. Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, Tarar emphasized that Pakistan’s quest for peace should not be perceived as a sign of weakness.

According to Radio Pakistan, Tarar highlighted United Nations and independent assessments indicating the presence of over six thousand Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in Afghanistan, with the total number of terrorists exceeding twenty thousand. He noted that since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the TTP has exploited Afghan soil for various activities, including recruitment and planning attacks against Pakistan.

The 38th UN Monitoring Report, Tarar stated, recorded the relocation of approximately two thousand TTP terrorists and their families further inside Afghanistan. Addressing the toll of terrorism on Pakistan, he emphasized the country’s unique position in having lost more than 90,000 lives and incurring over 100 billion dollars in economic losses.

Tarar further stated that Pakistan serves as a global symbol of resistance against terrorism and acts as a shield between terrorists and the rest of the world. He highlighted Pakistan’s recent role in mediating between the United States and Iran as evidence of its dedication to global peace, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other key officials.

A recent development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Tarar, will empower the province’s people to combat terrorism. He commended the residents for their determination in the fight against terror.