The US expresses its support of Pakistan’s right to defend itself against terrorism

04-01-2022

Finia Hilmes

Pakistan & Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

Responding to the Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s statement regarding the targeting of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts within the Afghan territory if not action is taken against them, the United States (US) expressed that Pakistan has the right to defend itself against terrorism (The News International, 2023).

In his statement, the Interior Minister emphasised that Pakistan may target the TTP located on Afghan territory if the Taliban government in Kabul does not take action to dismantle the TTP’s hideouts (The News International, 2023). Furthermore, on Monday, January 2nd, 2023, the National Security Committee made the decision that no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists and Pakistan reserves all rights to protect its people (The News International, 2023).

Besides expressing the US’s support of Pakistan’s right to defend itself, the US Department’s spokesperson, Ned Price, called upon the Afghan Taliban to uphold their commitment in regard to Afghan territory never being used as a ‘launchpad’ for international terrorist attacks again (The News International, 2023). Furthermore, Ned Price stated that the US has repeatedly said that there will be a response from the US as long as the Afghan Taliban do not fulfil their commitments made towards the international community as well as the Afghan people including the insurance of the Afghan people’s fundamental rights (The News International, 2023).

Sources and further reading: 

The News International. (2023, January 4). US supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself from terrorism. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1027086-us-supports-pakistans-right-to-defend-itself-from-terrorism