Pakistan Chief of Defence Staff Condemns Terrorism from Afghan Soil

Regional South Asian outlets focus on Pakistan’s security worries on both its western fronts, with Iran on one side and Afghanistan on the other. They highlight Munir’s warnings about Afghan territory being used for attacks on Pakistan and his push for the Taliban to cut ties with armed groups. Reporting also stresses that Pakistan wants to avoid being dragged into a Saudi–Iran confrontation while still responding to cross-border threats.

• •Pakistan’s army leadership considers the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan a red line.
• •General Asim Munir links lasting peace with Afghanistan to the Taliban ending support for militant groups targeting Pakistan.
• •Islamabad is trying to balance its defence pact with Saudi Arabia with the need to keep working relations with Iran.
• •Pakistani officials see cross-border attacks from Afghanistan and tensions with Iran as part of a connected western border security problem.
• •Commentary in the region warns that Pakistan’s room to stay neutral between Saudi Arabia and Iran is shrinking as Iranian attacks continue.