Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the recent attack on Pakistan by the Afghan Taliban was carried out at the behest of India, pointing out that the assault occurred when the Afghan foreign minister was in New Delhi.

“Pakistan was compelled to respond decisively,” he said while addressing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

“The armed forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, acted with bravery and precision in defending the country.”

The prime minister said Pakistan exercised its legitimate right to self-defence after repeated provocations, noting that Afghan-based Fitna al Khawarij terrorists had martyred police officers, soldiers, and civilians in recent attacks.

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan share long borders and deep cultural ties, but recent hostilities had tested Pakistan’s patience.

“Despite limited resources, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades and upheld the spirit of brotherhood,” he said.

PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan had agreed to a 48-hour temporary ceasefire at Afghanistan’s request, with Qatar playing a mediating role.

“Qatar’s Amir has also offered to help facilitate lasting peace between the two countries,” he added.

Pakistan is ready for dialogue

The prime minister stressed that Pakistan remains ready for dialogue with Afghanistan if Kabul accepts Islamabad’s justified conditions.

“We want peace and development through mutual consultation, not confrontation,” he said.

“If they want to talk on our valid conditions and want to resolve through dialogue, we are ready for that,” Sharif said.

“This message was given to them yesterday. Now the ball is in their court.”

“If this ceasefire is done just to buy time, we will not accept it,” he added.

Gaza ceasefire a positive step

On regional developments, Shehbaz also praised the Gaza ceasefire brokered through the efforts of several Islamic nations, including Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, and Türkiye, calling it a positive step towards ending bloodshed.

Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position, he said a sovereign Palestinian state must be established in accordance with UN resolutions, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for the people of Kashmir.

The prime minister announced that Pakistan has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund, describing it as a significant move toward economic stability.