Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday that the country’s tolerance for cross-border terrorism has reached its limit, defending recent steps as part of Pakistan’s inherent right to protect its citizens.

In a statement, the President said he had repeatedly warned the international community that when terrorist groups are facilitated, innocent civilians worldwide suffer the consequences. He said the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has created conditions that Pakistan finds unacceptable.

He criticised the Afghan authorities for violating commitments under the Doha Agreement, under which Afghan soil was not to be used against any country.

He said the current situation in Afghanistan is worse than before the 9/11 attacks, and the Taliban regime continues to permit terrorist elements to operate from its territory.

Referring to a statement made on Feb. 8, 2026, the president said Pakistan had cautioned that allowing terrorist groups space or impunity beyond national borders has global consequences. He said that despite Pakistan’s repeated engagement, Afghan authorities have not taken credible or verifiable action against these elements.

President cited a United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team report confirming the presence of multiple terrorist groups in Afghanistan, including ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, and Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan. The report said some of these groups continue to use Afghanistan to plan and prepare external attacks.

The president said Pakistan has exercised restraint by limiting its response to border-area hideouts, but warned that those responsible for violence in Pakistan will not remain beyond reach. He reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks peace and cooperative relations with all neighbours, but emphasised that protecting Pakistani lives is non-negotiable.