Pakistan will keep its current Afghanistan policy unchanged unless the Afghan Taliban abandon what Islamabad calls a “guerrilla mindset,” State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Wednesday describing the Taliban leadership’s attitude toward Pakistan as very different from how Kabul deals with the rest of the world.
Chaudhry’s comments followed a string of deadly suicide blasts in Islamabad Bajaur and Bannu that Pakistani authorities have linked to militants operating from Afghan soil. In response Islamabad conducted intelligence‑based strikes on seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to the banned Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan its affiliates and ISIS‑Khorasan along the Pakistan‑Afghanistan border.
The minister said Pakistan has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used for attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces but said dialogue has failed to change the Taliban’s conduct. Unless the group shifts away from what he described as guerrilla tactics and begins acting like a responsible state Islamabad will continue with its current approach he added.
Chaudhry also accused the Taliban of issuing multiple fatwas on social issues while remaining silent when attacks target Pakistan’s mosques markets and innocent women or children. He warned that if the mindset persists Pakistan’s military and government will pursue a harder line to end the threat once and for all.
Pakistan’s military has reported unprovoked firing from the Afghan side along the Torkham and Tirah sectors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border after recent strikes and officials say any further provocations will be met with immediate and severe responses to “protect citizens and territorial integrity.”
