Pakistan President Zardari Warns Taliban Policies in Afghanistan Create Pre-9/11-Like Conditions
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari stated that terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan represent a serious threat to global peace and that the Taliban's policies have created conditions "similar or even worse than the period before September 11."
In a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Zardari thanked world leaders for expressing solidarity with Pakistan following a suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad the previous day that killed 36 worshippers and wounded at least 169 others. He affirmed Pakistan's resolve to combat terrorism and violent ideologies, stressing that no single country can contain it alone.
Zardari accused some neighboring countries of providing space and facilities for terrorist groups targeting Pakistan, thereby becoming "complicit," while others supply financial, technical, and military support. He specifically blamed India for aiding the Taliban, which he said endangers Pakistan's peace as well as regional and global stability. Afghan territory is routinely used for attacks on Pakistani civilian and military targets, he added, calling on the Taliban to rein in such groups in areas under their control.
Pakistani Defense Minister and Interior Minister similarly attributed the mosque attack to India and the Taliban, noting the suicide bomber was a Pakistani citizen who had traveled to Afghanistan.
The incident marked the second deadly suicide attack in heavily secured Islamabad in recent months. In November 2025, a bomber near a judicial complex killed 12 people and wounded dozens.
The attack prompted condemnations from UN Secretary-General, the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, and others, who expressed support for Pakistan's fight against terrorism. The Taliban condemned the bombing, stating it violates the sanctity of mosques.
Hasht-e Subh reported Zardari's remarks based on a Dunya newspaper account.
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