ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Pakistan on Saturday said it had consistently pursued dialogue and constructive engagement with the Afghan Taliban, but would not allow what it called the “pretence of dialogue” to shield those threatening its people.
The information ministry was responding to Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid’s remarks in an interview with Al Arabiya English a day earlier, in which he said Afghanistan wanted dialogue with Pakistan and called for stronger mechanisms for intelligence-sharing and cooperation. He also welcomed a larger Saudi role in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad, saying Saudi Arabia was a friend of both countries and could play a “positive role” in resolving their differences.
Pakistan also rejected Kabul’s warning of “retaliatory action” if Islamabad carried out military operations inside Afghanistan, saying the Taliban regime should dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory instead of “deflecting responsibility”.
During the interview, Mr Mujahid warned Pakistan against conducting military operations inside Afghanistan and said Kabul would defend its sovereignty against any such action.
Responding to Kabul spox seeking talks, Islamabad says Afghan govt should dismantle terrorists operating from its territory
He also denied Islamabad’s assertion that Afghan territory was being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
“If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so,” he said, warning of a “crushing response” to any violation of Afghan sovereignty.
Pakistan reiterated that it had the “will and capability” to eliminate terrorist threats and would take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to protect its citizens, territory and sovereignty.
Pakistan also linked the Afghan Taliban’s warning to the deadly terrorist attack on civilians and police officials offering Friday prayers in Kohat.
“We strongly condemn the barbaric terrorist attack on civilians and police officials offering Friday prayers in Kohat,” the ministry of information stated, describing the attackers as “the vilest of Khwarij with roots in Afghanistan”.
It said Pakistan had repeatedly raised concerns over the use of Afghan territory by Fitna al-Khawarij and other terrorist groups to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“The presence of terrorist sanctuaries, alongside their recruitment and support infrastructure in Afghanistan, poses a direct threat to Pakistan’s security,” it said, adding that the concerns had repeatedly been conveyed to the Afghan Taliban regime and its interlocutors.
The ministry said the Taliban must dismantle the networks instead of “deflecting responsibility”.
Pakistan also rejected Mujahid’s assertion that Kabul did not allow the TTP to operate from Afghan territory or support armed groups targeting other countries.
Pakistan said the Afghan Taliban had obligations under the Doha Agreement to prevent Afghan territory from being used to threaten other countries.
It said it had noted the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ condemnation of the Kohat attack and expression of sympathy for the victims’ families, but regretted that the statement did not mention terrorism.
“Condemnation must be matched by concrete action,” the ministry said, calling on the Taliban to take “credible, verifiable and sustained measures” to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries and disrupt recruitment and training networks.
