Pakistan dismisses former US envoy's claim it arms Afghans against the Taliban

Pakistan's information ministry issued a rebuttal on X, labeling Zalmay Khalilzad's allegation that Islamabad recruits Afghans to fight the Taliban as unfounded and misleading. The ministry argued that his claims merely repeat speculative stories and serve a personal agenda, while conflating legitimate counter-terrorism actions with accusations of sponsoring armed groups. It highlighted that United Nations reports continue to document terrorist organisations, including the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Al-Qaeda, operating from Afghan territory.

The statement further accused Khalilzad of diverting attention from the Afghan Taliban's responsibility to prevent its land from being used by India-supported proxies against Pakistan. Overall, the ministry reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.