Pakistan has welcomed a joint religious declaration by more than 1,000 Afghan clerics in Kabul condemning cross-border militancy, but insisted that such commitments will only be meaningful with a written assurance from the Taliban leadership. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said Islamabad has repeatedly sought written guarantees that Afghan soil will not be used against Pakistan, but has yet to receive one.

The declaration, viewed as a religious endorsement against cross-border terrorism, warned that any military action beyond Afghanistan’s borders would be treated as rebellion against the Amir’s orders. While Pakistan was not named, the statement is widely seen as directed at the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups. Andarabi noted that past Taliban promises had gone unfulfilled, and Pakistan would assess the new declaration before deciding on further steps.

Tensions remain high following deadly attacks in Pakistan allegedly launched from Afghan territory. Islamabad has also criticized Kabul’s rejection of humanitarian aid and warned that only the Taliban’s top leadership can effectively rein in militant networks. Diplomatic observers see the clerics’ statement as a potential shift within Afghanistan, though its practical impact remains uncertain.

A Pakistani military court has sentenced former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Faiz Hameed to 14 years in prison after finding him guilty on four charges, including political interference and misuse of authority. The army confirmed that Hameed, detained since August 2023, was convicted following a full legal process under the Field General Court Martial. This marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former ISI chief has been tried and sentenced by a military court.

According to the army’s statement, Hameed was charged with violating the Official Secrets Act, harming state interests, and abusing official resources. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that Hameed overstepped his authority and acted as an adviser to Imran Khan’s party, contributing to political unrest. The verdict comes amid ongoing investigations into his alleged role in the May 2023 attacks on military installations by Khan’s supporters.

Neither Hameed’s family nor his lawyers have commented, and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has yet to respond. Analysts say the ruling underscores the military’s enduring dominance in Pakistan’s political landscape.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern message to Afghanistan’s Taliban government amid escalating border tensions. Speaking at a Guard of Honour ceremony in Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters, Munir said Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation but will not compromise on its sovereignty or territorial integrity. He urged the Taliban to make a decisive choice between supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or maintaining stable relations with Islamabad.

The remarks come as cross-border violence and militant activity continue to strain Pakistan-Afghanistan relations despite multiple rounds of peace talks. Munir’s statement underscores Pakistan’s growing frustration over the Taliban’s perceived inaction against TTP fighters operating from Afghan soil. During the same event, he also warned India that any future aggression would be met with a swift and forceful response.

Analysts view Munir’s comments as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to pressure Kabul into curbing militant sanctuaries. The warning signals a potential shift toward a harder security stance if diplomatic efforts fail to yield results.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has firmly dismissed the idea of excluding party founder Imran Khan from Pakistan’s political landscape. In an interview with Geo News outside the Parliament in Islamabad, Gohar stated that Imran remains the leader of a major political force supported by the people and cannot be 'minus-ed' from the political equation. He urged political leaders to adopt democratic and constructive thinking.

Gohar also called on authorities to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and their family, suggesting that positive outcomes could emerge from dialogue rather than negative rhetoric. He criticized ongoing political commentary and press briefings, warning that such discussions only serve Pakistan’s adversaries. Gohar expressed concern that public confidence in leadership is fading amid confusion and division.

The statement comes as political tensions escalate following remarks by ISPR Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who labeled Imran Khan a national security threat. Government ministers have since ruled out talks with PTI unless Imran is excluded.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s adviser on political and public affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has claimed that Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is on the verge of losing his political influence. Speaking at a rally in Gujranwala, Sanaullah sharply criticized Khan’s tenure, his strained relations with the military establishment, and the internal disarray within PTI.

Sanaullah alleged that Khan’s government brought destruction during its rule and partly blamed former army chief General Qamar Bajwa for key decisions of that period. He contrasted Khan’s confrontational approach with Nawaz Sharif’s restraint toward state institutions. According to Sanaullah, Khan’s conflict with the establishment began when he sought to use it against political rivals and later attempted to blackmail it for personal political gain.

The adviser further claimed that around 85% of PTI members no longer align with Khan’s political direction, warning that the party’s tactics resemble those of controversial past movements. Analysts view these remarks as part of the ruling coalition’s effort to weaken PTI ahead of Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.

At least 23 Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed in cross-border attacks by Pakistani forces over the past two days, according to a report by Pakistan’s The News on Sunday, December 7. The clashes occurred near the Chaman border in Balochistan, where Pakistani troops reportedly responded to gunfire from Afghan forces who allegedly violated a ceasefire late Friday night in the Zaman sector.

Sources cited by the report said the exchange began with small arms fire and escalated to heavy weaponry, including rockets and artillery, lasting around 45 minutes. Three Afghan border posts were reportedly destroyed. Pakistani sources claimed precision weapons were used to avoid civilian casualties, though Afghan troops later moved into populated areas, prompting further retaliatory fire.

The incident underscores the fragile security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, where tensions have grown since the Taliban’s return to power. Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about potential escalation and civilian safety in border communities.

Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP) has declined to recognize Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), citing ongoing legal proceedings over the party’s internal elections. The ECP also rejected his request to formally include independent senators into the PTI ranks, stating that the party currently lacks the legal authority to make such incorporations.

The decision comes as PTI’s intra-party election case remains under judicial review, with the Lahore High Court having suspended aspects of the party’s internal processes. In its official response, the ECP clarified that no certification or recognition could be issued to Gohar at this stage. Barrister Gohar has expressed disappointment and announced plans to challenge the ruling in court, arguing that the ECP’s stance undermines the party’s democratic rights.

The dispute adds to PTI’s ongoing legal and political challenges following the 2024 general elections. Analysts suggest the outcome could influence PTI’s parliamentary standing and its ability to contest future elections under its current leadership structure.

Pakistan’s federal authorities have imposed foreign travel bans on 132 senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, citing their alleged involvement in the violent protests and vandalism that erupted on May 9, 2023. The decision, confirmed on Saturday, adds the names of several prominent figures to the Exit Control List (ECL), effectively preventing them from leaving the country.

Among those restricted are PTI founder Imran Khan, senior leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry, and Shibli Faraz. Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Usman Dar, and female leaders Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Musarrat Cheema, and Kanwal Shauzab are also included. Officials said the Punjab Home Department had recommended the inclusion of 132 names.

The move reflects the government’s intensified scrutiny of PTI members accused of inciting political instability. Analysts suggest the bans could further strain relations between the ruling coalition and PTI supporters, potentially complicating efforts toward political reconciliation ahead of future elections.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced a proposal to form a trilateral alliance with Bangladesh and China, signaling Islamabad’s intent to create a new framework for regional cooperation outside the long-paralyzed South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Speaking at the Islamabad Conclave Forum, Dar said the initiative could expand beyond the region and emphasized collaboration over conflict.

The proposal comes as South Asia faces heightened political and diplomatic strains. India–Pakistan relations remain frozen after years of hostility, while Bangladesh–India ties have deteriorated following political upheaval in Dhaka. Analysts suggest Pakistan’s move reflects frustration with SAARC’s ineffectiveness and a desire to diversify regional partnerships. Academic Rabeya Akhtar called the plan ambitious, while others see it as a pragmatic response to shifting alliances.

Experts warn that if realized, the alliance could deepen India’s isolation and intensify regional rivalries, particularly between New Delhi and Beijing. Observers will watch whether Dhaka formally engages with Islamabad’s initiative or maintains a cautious stance amid competing strategic pressures.

Pakistan’s military announced that nine suspected India-backed militants were killed in separate counterterrorism operations in the Tank and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on December 6 that the raids were launched following intelligence reports about militant presence in the area.

According to the ISPR, seven militants were killed during an operation in Tank, while two others died in Lakki Marwat. Security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the sites. The military described the slain individuals as being involved in multiple attacks against security personnel, law enforcement agencies, and civilians.

Authorities said a “sanitization operation” is ongoing to eliminate any remaining India-supported militants in the region. The incident underscores Pakistan’s continued struggle with cross-border militancy and its efforts to maintain stability in its northwestern border areas.

A deadly overnight exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces broke out along the Spin Boldak border, killing at least four civilians, Afghan officials confirmed on Saturday. The four-hour-long clash marked a serious breach of the fragile ceasefire brokered less than two months ago by Qatar and Turkey. Residents fled the border town as gunfire continued through the night, while hospitals in Kandahar reported receiving multiple casualties.

Both Islamabad and Kabul acknowledged the incident but traded blame over who initiated the attack. Pakistan’s spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused the Taliban of unprovoked firing, asserting that Pakistani forces responded decisively to protect national security. The Taliban, however, claimed Pakistan launched the assault first, forcing them to retaliate.

The renewed violence comes shortly after both sides met in Saudi Arabia for a fourth round of talks aimed at resolving broader disputes. Despite agreeing to uphold the ceasefire, the latest confrontation underscores persistent mistrust and heightens concerns over regional stability along the 2,574-kilometer border.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent remarks pose a threat to national security. Speaking at a press conference on December 5, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General said Khan continues to believe that the country cannot function without him in power, describing his political career as over and driven by ego and emotion.

Chaudhry accused Khan of inciting citizens to withhold electricity bill payments and discouraging overseas remittances, actions he said undermine the state. He also warned that negative comments against the army’s leadership would not be tolerated. The ISPR chief emphasized that the army remains apolitical and loyal to the constitution, rejecting any attempt to drag it into politics.

The statement comes amid growing tensions between Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the military establishment. Analysts suggest the remarks signal a hardening stance by the army, potentially deepening Pakistan’s political polarization ahead of future elections.

Pakistan’s federal government has imposed a complete ban on all meetings with former Prime Minister Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Friday. The minister described Khan as a ‘war-mongering extremist’ and said the decision was taken under prison regulations to prevent political directives being issued from inside the facility.

Tarar warned that any attempt to disrupt law and order outside the prison would be met with swift and strict action. He accused Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of trying to push the country toward economic default by allegedly writing to the IMF and orchestrating violent attacks on military installations on May 9. The minister also claimed that PTI members were distancing themselves from Khan’s ‘Taliban-like mindset’.

The government is reportedly considering imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a PTI stronghold. Tarar emphasized that there would be no dialogue with groups promoting extremism or anti-state narratives, signaling a further hardening of Islamabad’s stance against Khan and his supporters.

Intense gunfire broke out along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late Friday night, with both sides confirming the exchange of fire. No casualties were immediately reported. The Taliban government in Kabul alleged that Pakistani forces initiated the attack on Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, while Islamabad accused Afghan troops of firing first at the Chaman border without provocation.

The incident comes just two days after peace talks between the two countries in Saudi Arabia ended without progress. Pakistani Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi stated that Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to protecting its territorial integrity and citizens. The renewed violence follows a period of relative calm since October, when the first direct clashes were halted through Qatari and Turkish mediation.

Analysts warn that the latest border skirmish could further strain already fragile relations between Islamabad and Kabul, especially amid Pakistan’s accusations that Afghan nationals are behind recent terrorist attacks inside its territory—claims the Taliban government has strongly denied.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have led to the closure of key border crossings since October 11, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded and disrupting regional trade. Pakistani truck drivers transporting goods to Afghanistan are facing uncertainty as their cash reserves run out. Exporters and logistics operators report that shipments bound for Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, including kinnow fruit exports, have been severely affected. According to Junaid Makda, president of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, thousands of containers carrying bilateral and transit goods are stuck across Pakistan, with demurrage charges of $150–200 per container per day. Last year, Pakistan exported kinnow worth $110 million, but this year’s estimate has dropped to $100 million due to the disruption. The closure follows one of the most intense border clashes since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, further straining trade and livelihoods across the region.