Pakistan Says Ties With Afghanistan Can Improve If Taliban Acts Against Militants

Pakistan’s military spokesperson has said relations with Afghanistan can be repaired if the Taliban government prevents militants from using Afghan territory to carry out attacks in Pakistan, while ruling out negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), told Arab News that Pakistan’s dispute was not with Afghanistan or its people but with the Taliban authorities in Kabul.

Chaudhry said Islamabad’s central demand was that Afghan territory should not be used to support terrorism against Pakistan.

“Don’t sponsor terrorism inside Pakistan,” Chaudhry said, describing it as a “very simple, very rational, very objective demand.”

He said the Taliban authorities could improve bilateral relations by taking action against what Pakistan alleges are militant training camps, leadership networks and logistical infrastructure operating from Afghanistan.

Chaudhry accused the Taliban government of sheltering militant leaders and providing them with weapons and logistical support, allegations Kabul has repeatedly denied.

Taliban Denies Supporting TTP

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Al Arabiya English on Friday that Kabul wanted continued dialogue and cooperation with Islamabad.

Mujahid denied that Afghanistan allows the TTP to operate from its territory or supports armed groups carrying out attacks against other countries. He also welcomed a greater role for Saudi Arabia in mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated significantly since the Taliban returned to power following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pakistan has experienced increased militant violence in its western provinces and has repeatedly accused Kabul of allowing the TTP to operate from Afghan territory.

The Taliban government rejects those accusations.

Pakistan Rules Out TTP Talks

Chaudhry said Islamabad would not resume negotiations with the TTP, which Pakistan considers a terrorist organisation.

“We don’t talk with terrorists. So, it’s off the table. We only kill terrorists,” he said.

The military spokesperson also urged the Taliban to honour commitments under the 2020 Doha agreement, which included assurances that Afghan territory would not be used to threaten other countries.

Islamabad Warns Of Self-Defence

Chaudhry warned that Pakistan reserves the right to take action in self-defence if Kabul fails to address what Islamabad considers a continuing security threat.

“It is up to them. If they don’t do it, then Pakistan has all the right of self-defense,” he said, adding that Pakistan could go “to any extent” to address the problem.

Despite the increasingly tense relationship, Chaudhry said Islamabad does not view the dispute with Afghanistan as permanent.

He said improved ties ultimately depend on whether the Taliban authorities take action against militants whom Pakistan accuses of operating from Afghan territory.

“It’s up to them,” he said.