Pakistan Warns Of Self-Defense Against Afghan Militant Threats

In a significant development, Pakistan has issued a warning regarding its right to self-defense against emerging security threats, particularly from militant groups operating in neighboring Afghanistan. Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated that Pakistan would respond 'swiftly and strongly' to any further threats, emphasizing the country's recent intelligence-based strikes against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan. This stance underscores the heightened security concerns that Pakistan faces as it prepares for the upcoming Moscow-Islamabad Media Forum on February 27, 2026, which aims to shape the discourse surrounding Pakistan-Russia relations ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Moscow from March 2-5, 2026. The forum will gather key figures, including Maria Zakharova and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, to discuss the evolving dynamics of their bilateral relationship amidst these security challenges.