Pakistan Raises Alarm Over US Weapons in Afghanistan, Warns of Terror Threat

Islamabad, February 28 – Pakistan has once again voiced its concerns over the sophisticated weapons left behind by the United States in Afghanistan following its abrupt withdrawal in 2021. According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, these arms are being exploited by terrorist groups to carry out attacks within Pakistan.

Speaking at a weekly media briefing, Khan emphasized that Islamabad has repeatedly urged both the international community and Afghan authorities to take decisive action to prevent these weapons from fueling further violence.

“We have impressed upon the international community and Afghan authorities to address this issue,” Khan stated, underlining Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining cooperative relations with Afghanistan. However, he pointed out that the presence of terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil remains a significant hurdle in fostering stability between the two neighbors.

Border Tensions at Torkham​

Addressing the ongoing closure of the Torkham border, Khan attributed the decision to operational constraints, revealing that Afghanistan had attempted to construct a border post on the Pakistani side. He called on Afghan authorities to resolve such disputes through bilateral mechanisms like the Joint Coordination Committee meetings instead of unilateral actions. He expressed optimism that dialogue would lead to a resolution.

Pakistan Welcomes US F-16 Oversight Program​

Khan also touched upon Pakistan’s defense collaboration with the United States, particularly the oversight of F-16 jets, which he described as a “regular feature” of bilateral military cooperation.

“This is a robust and dense relationship, expressing Pakistan’s commitment to carrying this relationship forward,” he remarked, reaffirming Islamabad’s willingness to strengthen defense ties with Washington.

Deportation of Illegal Pakistani Migrants from the US​

On another front, Khan confirmed that eight Pakistani nationals residing illegally in the US were deported and returned to Pakistan on Thursday.

Pakistan Warns of Deporting Afghans Awaiting US Resettlement​

In a separate development, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has formally informed the United States that it will deport all Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement in the US if the deadline for their relocation is not met or their applications are rejected.

This warning comes in response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump suspending the Afghan refugee resettlement program for 90 days. Thousands of Afghans who had assisted US and Western forces during their military operations in Afghanistan had fled to Pakistan, seeking temporary refuge.

While the previous US administration had agreed to relocate eligible Afghan refugees by September 2025, the process has faced delays, particularly under the Biden administration. Now, with President Trump suspending the program, Pakistan fears that many of these refugees may never be relocated.

Reports suggest that between 15,000 and 25,000 Afghan refugees remain stranded in Pakistan. Islamabad has made it clear that it will not allow them to stay beyond September 2025, in line with its ongoing efforts to repatriate Afghan nationals.

Pakistan’s Crackdown on Afghan Nationals​

Pakistan initially launched a crackdown against undocumented Afghan migrants in October 2023, and the government now plans to extend it to all Afghans, regardless of their legal status. The move reflects Islamabad’s growing frustrations with the Taliban regime, as relations between the two sides continue to be strained.

Pakistan's firm stance on the refugee issue signals an escalating diplomatic challenge with both Afghanistan and the US, as geopolitical tensions in the region remain high.