02.11.2026 01:00
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed Pakistan's concerns regarding terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory. Stating that they do not want Pakistan to be the target of terrorist attacks, Rubio said, "Therefore, if there is an effective role we can play, we would like to take on that role," signaling that the US could intervene in the tension between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a press conference held on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, made statements regarding the Pakistan-Afghanistan issue.
“WE DO NOT WANT PAKISTAN TO BE TARGETED; IF THERE IS A ROLE, WE WANT TO TAKE IT ON”
Rubio, stating that Pakistan is concerned about “terrorist attacks supported from Afghan territory and the Afghan administration’s failure to make sufficient efforts to prevent terrorist attacks,” said, “We do not want (Pakistan) to be targeted by terrorism. Therefore, if there is an effective role we can have, we want to take it on.”
Rubio noted that although they do not have “close relations” with the Afghan administration, they are aware of Pakistan’s concerns and “are against terrorism.”
THE TERRORISM PROBLEM ON THE PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BORDER
Armed attacks in Pakistan are concentrated especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which border Afghanistan.
In both provinces, armed groups claiming to defend the rights of Pashtun and Baloch ethnic groups carry out attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.
Islamabad argues that the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) is stationed in Afghanistan and organizes its attacks from there, while the Afghan administration rejects these claims.
In Balochistan, attacks by the “Balochistan Liberation Army” (BLA) stand out. The BLA wants Balochistan to separate from Pakistan and the Baloch people to govern this region.