ISLAMABAD: On the heels of heightened hostility between Islamabad and Kabul, the Upper House of the Parliament has reiterated that any attempt to challenge the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national security of Pakistan constitutes a “direct affront to the dignity of the Pakistani nation, and shall be met with a firm, proportionate and decisive response.” Through a unanimous resolution moved in the Senate session on Friday, the House “unequivocally condemned the recent acts of unprovoked aggression and hostile cross-border actions emanating from the territory of Afghanistan,” describing them as blatant violations of international law, established diplomatic norms, and the principles of peaceful neighbourly relations. The resolution was jointly moved by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle; Sherry Rehman, Raja Nasir Abbas, Azam Tarar, Rubina Khalid, Waqar Mehdi, Rana Sana Ullah Khan, Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan, Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Masroor Ahsan, Afnan Ullah Khan, Danesh Kumar, Sarmad Ali, Bilal Ahmed Khan Mandokhel, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Musadik Malik and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. The Senate recalled with “profound regret that for over 40 years Pakistan has borne extraordinary economic, social, and security burdens in hosting millions of Afghan nationals, extending humanitarian assistance, facilitating peace efforts, and consistently advocating for Afghanistan’s stability in international forums often at immense cost to its own national development and internal security.” The House also expressed “deep disappointment” that “instead of reciprocal goodwill, Pakistan continues to face hostile rhetoric, cross-border violations, and the persistent presence of anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil, reflecting a troubling pattern of ingratitude and disregard for bilateral understandings.” The Senate demanded that the Afghan Taliban regime immediately cease all hostile actions, prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorism or aggression against Pakistan, and honour their international obligations and commitments to peaceful coexistence. The legislature affirmed that “while Pakistan remains committed to constructive engagement, regional peace, and mutually respectful relations, its patience must not be misconstrued as weakness, nor its desire for stability mistaken for inability to respond decisively.” The Senate called upon the international community to take serious note of these developments and to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to adhere to international norms and prevent further destabilisation of the region. The House resolved that the Senate stands united, beyond political divides, in defence of Pakistan’s sovereignty, and that it supports all necessary measures undertaken by the state to safeguard its territorial integrity and national honour. Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Rana Sanaullah said the passage of a unanimous resolution from the Senate sends a strong message that the nation is united against any kind of threat. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026