ISLAMABAD: A senior American official acknowledged on Tuesday Pakistan was facing militant threat from armed groups in Afghanistan following attacks on security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earlier this month, though he denied US forces had left behind any weapons in the war-torn state before withdrawing in 2021.
US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby issued the statement in response to a question about the recent spike in militant violence in Pakistan, with specific focus on one of the deadliest attacks against the army in which 23 soldiers were killed in Dera Ismail Khan on Dec. 12.
According to media reports, the militants who targeted the military post were armed with advanced American weapons, including assault rifles and night vision devices.
“Pakistan remains a key partner in the region,” Kirby said during a news conference in Washington. “They continue to face a viable terrorism threat across that border.”
“But let me remind you,” he continued. “We didn’t just leave a bunch of weapons in Afghanistan. This is a fallacy. This is a farce.”
He reiterated that US forces trained and equipped Afghan National Security Forces during 20 years of American presence in Afghanistan with congressional approval and consultations.
Kirby noted that when the Taliban made advances, Afghan soldiers decided not to fight but simply to lay down their arms.
“The arms that you’re talking about … belong to the Afghan National Security Forces,” he added.
Earlier this year in September, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also blamed the US for leaving military equipment behind in Afghanistan, saying this had created a new security challenge for Islamabad since it now had to deal with militants with sophisticated weapons.
Pakistan also summoned the top Afghan diplomat to the foreign office to lodge protest against the attack in Dera Ismail Khan.
US says groups in Afghanistan posing militant threat to Pakistan after spike in violent attacks
https://arab.news/m2ng5
US says groups in Afghanistan posing militant threat to Pakistan after spike in violent attacks
- A top American official, John Kirby, describes Pakistan as Washington’s ‘key partner’ in the region
- He says weapons used by militants targeting Pakistani security forces belonged to Afghan army
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
